Magic at the library

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Abracadabra!  Hocus pocus! and the Oliver Library was transformed into the enchanting world of Leif David’s magic. Nearly a hundred kids in the Library’s Children’s Summer Reading Club were thrilled last night by the deft sleight-of-hand of Leif’s amazing tricks. In his highly participatory program, the magician had the kids rollicking with laughter with his mystifying illusions. Thanks to the Friends of the Oliver Library and the Community Arts Council who once again sponsored this highly entertaining performer. The Reading Club continues every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. through the summer with a variety of excellent programs. Registration any time at the Library or on Thursday evenings. All kids over five are welcome._DSC09342
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Cull your book shelves now for good cause

FOTOL

These Friends Of The Oliver Library (FOTOL) are definitely nuts about books! They are hard at work sorting books in preparation for the

15th Annual Summer Book Sale

Saturday, July 6th

9:00a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Oliver Regional Library parking lot

Proceeds go to the Library’s Summer Reading Club for Children. Additional book donations are welcomed and can be left at the Library now. Many thanks!

Photo Credit:  Heather Frank

Be a Friend ~ Buy a Book

Don’t miss the best deal in town this weekend, courtesy of the Friends of the Oliver Library! Pick up all your summer reading, and stock up for those winter nights by the fire.  Don’t forget your cloth bag, a handy box, or even a wagon to cart away those great finds.

Your book buy list should include:

* easy reading for the car, camper, or RV,

*classics for the ski cabin,

*short stories or an anthology for the guest room (what a thoughtful host you are!) ,

* picture books for the grandkids,

* a juicy romance or a thriller beside the bathtub,

* “stimulating” reading for the washroom (need we say more),

Proceeds support children’s summer programming at the library.  So your purchase goes to your own enjoyment AND encourages a whole new generation of readers.

Be a BC Book Prize Groupie

If being a rock band groupie isn’t your style, try being a BC Book Prize groupie!

Two authors shortlisted for the BC Book Prizes are touring the Okanagan. and will be visiting the Oliver Regional Library branch on Monday May 7 at 7:00 p.m.

Come meet JJ Lee, the author of “The Measure of a Man: The story of a Father, a Son and a Suit” and Gary Kent, the author of the children’s book, “Fishing with Gubby”. They will be talking about their books and the ideas and stories that inspired them.

The Measure of a Man is JJ Lee’s debut book. Taking as its starting point a son’s decision to alter his late father’s last remaining suit for himself, this is a deeply moving and brilliantly crafted story of fathers and sons, of fitting in and standing out — and discovering what it means to be your own man. For years, journalist and amateur tailor JJ Lee tried to ignore the navy suit that hung at the back of his closet — his late father’s last suit. When he decides to finally make the suit his own, little does he know he is about to embark on a journey into his own past.

As JJ moves across the surface of the suit, he reveals the heartbreaking tale of his father, a charismatic but luckless restaurateur whose demons brought tumult upon his family. He also recounts the year he spent as an apprentice tailor at Modernize Tailors, the last of Vancouver’s legendary Chinatown tailors, where he learns invaluable lessons about life from his octogenarian master tailor. Woven throughout these two personal strands are entertaining stories from the social history of the man’s suit, the surprising battleground where the war between generations has long been fought.

With wit, bracing honesty, and great narrative verve, JJ takes us from the French Revolution to the Zoot Suit Riots, from the Japanese Salaryman to Mad Men, from Oscar Wilde in short pants to Marlon Brando in a T-shirt, and from the rareified rooms of Savile Row to a rundown shop in Chinatown. A book that will forever change the way you think about the maxim “the clothes make the man,” this is a universal story of love and forgiveness and breaking with the past.

Fishing with Gubby is the marvelously illustrated, authentic account of one season in the life of a salmon fisherman. Based on actual events, the story is told by award-winning children’s illustrator Kim La Fave and former fisherman Gary Kent. Together they make the wharfs, boats, fishermen and villages of the BC coast come alive with remarkable detail and humour.

Gubby’s journey first takes him up BC’s west coast, through Georgia, Johnstone and Queen Charlotte straits and north past Port Hardy. He then heads into the open ocean towards treacherous Cape Scott, through to Winter Harbour and Quatsino Sound to settle in for a summer of fishing. Gubby and Puss face rolling rapids, rough and tumble storms and banks of fog, tussle with a basking shark and a pod of orcas, all while trolling for spring and coho salmon and visiting other fishermen and homesteaders along the way.

Books will be available for purchase. Get your copy signed, or buy one for a friend. Or be a BC Book Prize groupie and bring your camera for a photo. Who knows? You may be posing with a winner!

Trunk Show at the Library sets NEW date

The Friends of the Oliver Library have postponed the date of their next evening of entertainment, Trunk Show: A Life in Quilts  by one week so as not to conflict with Oliver’s Foreign Film Festival. Now lovers of the arts can attend both events.

Come find out what’s in Enid’s trunk! This talented quilter and painter has brought it down from the attic, and is ready to share with you her reflections on an artistic life, told through the quilts she has made through the years.  Inspiring and humorous stories, beautiful quilts — all may call forth the artistic spirit in YOU!

The Friends of the Oliver Library present
Trunk Show: A Life Journey in Quilts
with Enid Baker
Wednesday November 23 *** NEW DATE***
7:30PM
Oliver Regional Library
FREE
Refreshments served, courtesy of FOTOL 

Photo: “Memories of Carol” by Enid Baker at Quilts and Beyond, April 2011

Photo Credit: Penelope Johnson

Successful Book Sale = Successful Summer Reading Program

The Friends of the Oliver Library helped to finance the Summer Reading Program with proceeds from their July book sale which netted just over $1400.  

The first session of  the Summer Reading Program had eighty-two children and their parents in attendance. They enjoyed a fun filled evening with stories, contests and crafts prepared by the library staff.  Since then, according to FOTOL member Val Friesen, attendance has been consistently in the 80 – 100 range.  Several Library “Friends” have been helping out with the programme on Thursday evenings during the summer.  Heather Franks of the FOTOL says “We are happy to lend a hand and help get those kids “hooked on books.”

Although program nights are now completed, boys and girls are encouraged to continue to work on their Reading Logs and bring their completed records into the library before August 26 so that they can “SAVOUR THE MOMENT” on Saturday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m.  Savour the moment at this Medal Presentation Party. Throughout the summer when children complete their Reading Log they receive a special invitation to this exciting event. See who is the first to read their way on to the podium! And someone will take crunchy, munchy dog home!

BC Book Prizes Tour Tonight!

After a successful event last year, the B.C. Book Prizes tour is once again stopping at the Oliver Library on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. The BC Book Prizes Tour and Awards, established in 1985, celebrate the achievements of British Columbia writers, illustrators and publishers. The Oliver Library presentation will be the only public event south of Kelowna for the southern leg of this much acclaimed tour. This year the tour will bring George Bowering, Julie Flett and Derek Lundy to our library for an informal presentation, a question period and a chance to chat over coffee and goodies.

George Bowering, who was brought up in Oliver and was Canada’s first Poet Laureate is nominated in the poetry category for his work titled “My Darling Nellie Grey” which includes poems for each month of the year 2006. George was also just awarded the 8th Annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literacy Excellence. Julie Flett is nominated for the Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize for her illustrations in the picture book “Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet”. Derek Lundy is nominated in the non-fiction category for his book “Borderlands: Riding the Edge of America”, in which he recounts his experiences riding his motorcycle along the US borders with Mexico and Canada.

The event in Oliver is the last public presentation before the nominees head to the award gala at Government House.

This special and prestigious evening at the library is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Oliver Library and is free of charge. Book Lovers of all ages are encouraged to join us for this unique opportunity to meet and mingle with some of BC’s finest writers and illustrators.

Good for the Mind, Good for the Soul, Good for the Tummy

The Friends of the Oliver Library present
GRANDMOTHERS for AFRICA
Thursday, November 25th
7:00 p.m.
FREE
Oliver Library
35641 93rd St.

Speaker Lynn Popoff will give a presentation on her trip to the Swaziland Grandmothers Gathering. This group raises funds to assist the Grannies in Africa who are raising their grandchildren with limited resources, after their own children were lost to HIV/AIDS. Refreshments will follow the presentation.

 

Annual Christmas Coffee Morning
Tuesday, December 21st
10:00 a.m.
Oliver Library
35641 93rd St.

Please join the Friends of the Oliver Library for Christmas Carolling with piano, keyboard, and saxoph0ne accompaniment.  Holiday treats and coffee will be provided. Lots of fellowship and good cheer.  FREE

Want more information? Contact olivercac@gmail.com or call the library at (250) 498-2242

Coffee and Board Games On Us! says Friends of the Oliver Library

Coffee Morning
Tuesday November 16
(every third Tuesday of the month)
10:00 a.m.
Oliver Branch
Okanagan Regional Library

Want a coffee with your morning paper or new book? Drop in on third Tuesdays of the month at 10:00 a.m.  to noon.

Want your say? Come at 9:00 every third Tuesday of the month  to join the FOTOL society. Stay and socialize over coffee afterward.

The Library is setting up a corner for board games, and wonders if anyone could donate a nice chess set, backgammon, cribbage board, or other quiet boardgame to provide another social facet to our beautiful library. Check at the library if you’d like to donate, or email olivercac@gmail.com and we’ll forward your offer to a library rep.

Friends of the Oliver Library Need more “Friends”!

The Friends of the Oliver Library (FOTOL) have moved their monthly business meeting to coincide with the monthly “Tuesday Coffee Morning”, on the third Tuesday of each month. The FOTOL business meeting begins at 9:00 a.m., with the coffee fellowship with the public following at 10:00 a.m.

On Thursday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m., Eva Durance, author of Cultivating the Wild: Gardening with Native Plants of B.C.’s Southern Interior, will discuss gardening with native plants. Come meet the author and enjoy her presentation. Coffee and refreshments.

What would you like to see happen at the Library? Guest speakers? Workshops? Literacy initiatives? Computer classes? A book club? Read-aloud evenings? A poetry reading coffeehouse? A fund raising idea? Please share new ideas with the society. 

Friends of the Oliver Library membership forms are available at the Library, which also list areas for volunteer acivities. It’s never too soon or too late to sign up as a volunteer for the Summer Book Sale!

Have some creative energy to spare? Let them know – the Friends would love to hear your voice!

Contact olivercac@gmail.com to volunteer.

Pictured: Enid Baker, Shirley Cade and librarian Vicki White
Photo Credit: Val Friesen

Friends of the Oliver Library Need more "Friends"!

The Friends of the Oliver Library (FOTOL) have moved their monthly business meeting to coincide with the monthly “Tuesday Coffee Morning”, on the third Tuesday of each month. The FOTOL business meeting begins at 9:00 a.m., with the coffee fellowship with the public following at 10:00 a.m.

On Thursday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m., Eva Durance, author of Cultivating the Wild: Gardening with Native Plants of B.C.’s Southern Interior, will discuss gardening with native plants. Come meet the author and enjoy her presentation. Coffee and refreshments.

What would you like to see happen at the Library? Guest speakers? Workshops? Literacy initiatives? Computer classes? A book club? Read-aloud evenings? A poetry reading coffeehouse? A fund raising idea? Please share new ideas with the society. 

Friends of the Oliver Library membership forms are available at the Library, which also list areas for volunteer acivities. It’s never too soon or too late to sign up as a volunteer for the Summer Book Sale!

Have some creative energy to spare? Let them know – the Friends would love to hear your voice!

Contact olivercac@gmail.com to volunteer.

Pictured: Enid Baker, Shirley Cade and librarian Vicki White
Photo Credit: Val Friesen

BC Book Prize Tour Stops in Oliver

The Friends of the Oliver Library hosted Silvia Olsen, children’s author  (pictured at left) and poet Fred Wah during the Lieutenenat Governor’s  BC Book Prize Tour on April 21.  Both authors shared their experiences writing their nominated works, read excerpts , and answered questions.

Here’s a little more about Olsen’s book, Counting on Hope :

“Set against the backdrop of the confusing events surrounding the English colonization of British Columbia, and an 1863 naval assault on Kuper Island, Counting on Hope tells the story of two girls whose lives are profoundly changed when their two cultures collide. Alternating between free verse and prose, Sylvia Olsen follows the girl’s individual storylines before, during and after their meeting. She captures the wonder and joy with which Hope and Letia develop their friendship and describes the tragic events, suspicion, fear and confusion that characterize so many early encounters between Europeans and the First Peoples. This sensitively drawn depiction of innocence lost and wisdom hard won follows Hope and Letia out of childhood, off their island paradise and into the complex realities of an adult world. Married into the Tsartlip First Nation at seventeen, Sylvia Olsen is a historian specializing in Native/White relations in Canada, and the author of twelve books. She lives in Victoria.”

Fred Wah won in the poetry category, for his collection is a door :

“Including poetry projects, a chapbook and incidental poems, is a door makes use of the poem’s ability for “suddenness” to subvert closure: the sudden question, the sudden turn, the sudden opening — writing that is generated from linguistic mindfulness, improvisation, compositional problem-solving, collaborative events, travel, investigation and documentary — in short, poetry as practice. Much of this poetry is framed by Fred Wah’s acute sense of the marginalized non-urban local “place” and coloured by his attempt to articulate senses of otherness and resistance. Fred Wah was one of the founding editors of the poetry newsletter TISH and a pioneer of on-line publishing. He is the author of seventeen books of poetry including Waiting For Saskatchewan which received the Governor General’s Award in 1985. Diamond Grill, a biofiction about hybridity and growing up in a small-town Chinese-Canadian café won the Howard O’Hagan Award for Short Fiction in 1996. He lives in Vancouver.”

Congratulations, Fred!

Visit http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/tour/category/southern-tour-2010/  for more information about the southern BC potion of the tour, or http://www.bcbookprizes.ca/winners/2010 for a list of the finalists’ books and the various winners. A great source for your summer reading picks!