Announcing…the Inaugural New West City Reads Online!

Please join us in launching the inaugural New West City Reads Book Club online!

After our poll last week, we discovered two things: we have a clear book winner, and New West readers love the idea so much we will offer two meeting times to accommodate all participants. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far!

It’s obvious that New Westminster lives up to its Royal City moniker – our readers are most excited about reading about the British monarchy! The winning book was The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock which is paired with The Women of Windsor by Catherine Whitney. Both titles are available on Freading (just follow the links). The idea of this meeting is to read a historical fiction novel, paired with a non-fiction book covering the same topic or time. Feel free to read as much of the non-fiction book as you like. Mostly we will discuss the novel.

Our online platform, Freading, can be used to read the books on a handheld device or on a computer. If you’ve never used Freading before and don’t know where to start, we have prepared a helpful video and a brief Getting Started Guide. If you are still having problems, drop us a line at askus@nwpl.ca and we’ll be happy to help you one on one.

The meetings will take place on:

We will discuss the same books both days.

Meetings will take place online via Zoom Video Conferencing. Instructions and a link to join the meeting will be sent to registered participants ONLY, closer to the date. We welcome everyone, but you must register. All you need to join the meeting is a laptop or a device with an internet connection, camera, and microphone. You do not need a Zoom account.

If you’re ready to register, please send an email with New West City Reads in the subject line to askus@nwpl.ca and include the following information:

  • Which day you want to register for
  • Your name

Feel free to invite others to join us and register as well.

See you online!

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New West City Reads: Online BookClub!

New West City Reads is going online and we need your input!

For our first meeting at the end of May, we want to know what you want to read, and what time works best for you to attend a virtual meeting.

Choices for the books to read are paired; an historical fiction novel paired with a non-fiction title for more context.

The choices for book are:

  1. Russian Ballet: Last Days of the Romanov Dancers by Kerri Turner paired with Imperial Dancer by Coryne Hall
  2. Princess Margaret: The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock paired with The Women of Windsor by Catherine Whitney
  3. Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde: Seeking Hyde by Thomas Reed paired with The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
  4. Legacy of Nazi Secrets: Inheritance of Secrets by Sonja Bates and The Real Odessa by Uki Goñi

Watch the video above for more information about the titles and how the book club will work.

Click HERE to Vote

Poll is open until May 8 only! Winner announced May 11.

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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) & LIBRARY SERVICES

MARCH 16, 5:30PM: 

Effective March 16, 2020 at 9pm, the New Westminster Public Library will be closed to the public until further notice, in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Click HERE for information about how we will support you during the time we are closed.

New Magazines at NWPL!

As of January 2020 the New Westminster Public Library is very pleased to announce several new magazine subscriptions:

  • Astronomy: Offering you the most exciting, visually stunning, thorough, and timely coverage of the heavens above.
  • Birds & Blooms: America’s #1 backyard birding and gardening magazine.
  • Canadian Art: The preeminent platform for journalism and criticism about art and culture in Canada.
  • Christianity Today: Highlighting the ways in which Christians can live gospel lives for the strengthening of church and society.
  • Dwell (also at Queensborough Branch): A smart, accessible publication dedicated to modern design.
  • Family Handyman: Your leading DIY resource for projects, renovations, smart technology, pest control, maintenance, design inspiration and so much more
  • Fine Woodworking: The essential resource for anyone who desires to create beautiful furniture from wood.
  • Gramophone: The worlds’ leading classical music magazine with the best classical music reviews, news, playlists, and features.
  • Guardian Weekly: Quality, independent journalism including opinion, insight, culture and more – all curated to bring you a progressive and trustworthy look at a week in the life of the world.
  • InStyle: Featuring fashion and style-related articles, seasonal fashion trend previews, what celebrities are wearing, buzz on the “It” fashion designers of the moment, beauty product reviews and more.
  • Paris Match: A French-language weekly news magazine covering major national and international news along with celebrity lifestyle features.
  • Photo Life: Canada’s leading source for photography, including technical knowledge and tips, industry news and events, international travel photography and documentaries, as well as innovative approaches, techniques and secrets of the trade.
  • Popular Mechanics: The latest news on innovations and inventions across the automotive, DIY, science, technology and outdoor spaces, Popular Mechanics is a magazine which shows you how the world works.
  • Runners World: The essential guide for everyone who runs.
  • Smithsonian Magazine: A magazine chronicling science, history, art, popular culture, and innovation for a diverse readership.
  • Sports Illustrated: One of the leading sports magazines in the world featuring a wide range of sports-related articles and photographs, including columns written by the leading sports analysts and announcers
  • Threads: The premier magazine for sewing enthusiasts – people who are passionate about sewing garments, home furnishings, gifts, and accessories.
  • Walrus: A Canadian general interest magazine which publishes long-form journalism on Canadian and international affairs, along with fiction and poetry by Canadian writers.
  • Wired: A monthly magazine focusing on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy and politics.

Kids magazines

  • Beanz: An award-winning bi-monthly magazine about learning to code, computer science, and how we use technology in our daily lives.
  • How it Works (also at Queensborough Branch): An action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about our universe.

Find these magazines on display in our Main Branch Reading Lounge, or at the Queensborough Branch where indicated. As with all magazines, the current month’s issue is for in-library use only, but you can place holds to take the items home when the following month’s issue arrives.

Happy Reading!

 

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Teen Summer Reading Club Art Contest

The New Westminster Public Library is now accepting submissions for our 2020 Teen Summer Reading Club Art Contest.

Every year, the library’s Children’s and Teen Department invite youth aged 12-18 who live in or attend school in New Westminster to participate in this contest. The winning artwork is featured on the library’s Teen Summer Reading Club materials for that year, and other prizes are awarded as well.

Are you artsy? Do you want to see your art all over the city this year? Pick up an entry form at the library, or download one here!

RULES AND SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

  • Entries should illustrate the 2020 Teen Summer Reading Club theme of “Fill in the Blank”. Reading challenges and programs featured this year will explore themes of the unknown, untold stories, discovery, the past and future, and more. You are encouraged to interpret this theme however you like in your artwork.
  • Your art submission must be original, of your own creation, and never previously published.
  • You must be between 12 and 18 years old, and either attending school or living in New Westminster.
  • You can submit more than one piece of art, but you must hand in a separate entry form with each one.
  • Do not put your name on your submitted artwork.
  • Entries can be submitted in person to the Children’s Information Desk at the library’s Main Branch (716 6th Avenue), or by email to youth@nwpl.ca. The deadline for submissions is April 1 at 9:00pm.
  • A winner and two runners-up will be announced on May 1, 2019.

PRIZES

  • One winner will be selected to receive a $50 Michaels gift card, and their work will be featured on NWPL’s Teen Summer Reading Club 2020 booklet and promotional material. The winner will also be invited to sit on the selection jury for the library’s Annual Art Exhibit Selection Committee in the Fall.
  • Two runners-up will be selected to receive a $25 Michaels gift card, and their work will be featured on some smaller promotional items for the Teen Summer Reading Club.

If you have any questions about the contest or how to participate send an email to: youth@nwpl.ca

Changes to Library2Go ebooks

Posting date: December 30, 2019

Beginning early in the new year you may notice a difference in the way ebook and eaudiobook holds and hold checkouts are handled. These changes have recently been announced by Overdrive, the company that provides downloadable ebook and audiobook services to local libraries.

When will these changes take effect?

Overdrive has not indicated the exact date these changes will take effect, only that they are due early 2020. We will post an update as soon as we know the exact date of implementation.

What will be different?

There are several planned enhancements to ebook/eaudiobook holds and checkouts as follows:

  • Beginning January 1, 2020, you will be allowed to place 7 holds and checkout 7 ebooks/eaudiobooks. This is an increase from the 5 books and 5 holds allowed to date.
  • Holds will no longer be automatically checked out to your account. This will allow you borrow books when it is most convenient for you to read them. How it works:
    • You will receive a notification that your hold is available.
    • You will have 3 days to check it out.
    • If you do not check the book out it will automatically go to the next person on the waitlist.
    • Your name will be reinserted into the holds queue in the same position and you will receive the book again in the near future.
    • This will only occur  once. If you do not check the book out the 2nd time you are notified, you will lose your place in the hold list and have to place a new hold on the title, and be placed at the end of the hold waitlist.

Is the upgrade optional?

No. All libraries use the same platform from Overdrive and therefore the upgrade is mandatory.

What about other features. Will they stay the same?

All other features such as your custom settings, saved lists and all current holds will all remain exactly the same.

What if I still have questions?

If you have questions or concern, please contact us at 604-527-4665, see us in person or email us at askus@nwpl.ca

Interested in borrowing ebooks or eaudiobooks from our Library-2-go service? have your NWPL library card handy and visit https://bcpl.overdrive.com/

Library Catalogue Enhancements

Posting date: December 30, 2019

Bibliocommons, the company that operates our public  catalogue has recently announced several enhancements aimed at improving your experience while using the catalogue “item details” page.

When will these changes take effect?

While Bibliocommons has not yet provided all of its libraries with a specific implementation date, they have indicated that these changes will take effect sometime in January 2020.

What will be different?

The enhancements to the item details pages will include:

  • larger book, DVD and CD covers
  • clearer display of title fonts and wording
  • easier-to-read descriptive summaries
  • simplified screens for borrowing, placing holds and adding items to your saved lists
  • additional sections designed to help you find more of what you love to borrow
  • improvements to the display of the catalogue on mobile devices

Will we be able to preview the changes?

At some point prior to full implementation, you may see a banner at the top of the catalogue offering you the option to Preview the changes. You will then be able to see a sneak peak of what things will look like up until the time of the implementation is complete.

Is the upgrade optional?

The upgrade is mandatory for all libraries that use this product.

What about other features. Will they stay the same?

All other features such as any customized settings, saved lists and holds will remain exactly the same.

What if I still have questions?

If you have questions or concern, please see us in person, contact us by phone at 604-527-4665 or email askus@nwpl.ca

You can start using our catalogue any time, from any device by visiting nwpl.ca