NEW WESTMINSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY RE-LAUNCHES LITERARY FESTIVAL
April 11, 2024
New Westminster Public Library is excited to announce the launch of a revamped, city-wide literary festival. The newly coined Bridges Literary Festival will be held May 9 – 12 in partnership with local businesses and organizations.
“We are so thrilled to provide the opportunity for local residents to celebrate and connect over a love of the literary arts,” says Caitlin MacRae, Programming Librarian at New Westminster Public Library. “For this year, we have 15 events taking place across the city, including author talks, kids’ storytimes, crafts, author panels, a book launch, a local author book club and discussion, poetry readings, workshops and social events! The idea is to not just passively consume stories but to learn how to create and share them, whether you are a budding novelist, poet or just want some advice with your own writing,” says MacRae.
The festival is the library’s first since prior to the COVID pandemic. While the focus is local, the aspiration is to use this first year as a launchpad to grow into a larger event each year.
“As a small library we wanted to capitalize on the power of partnership and community to deliver a festival that would appeal to as many as possible. What we have assembled here is a starting place that will hopefully grow to represent as many experiences and points of view as possible,” says Elaine Su, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees.
For this inaugural outing, the library is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Arts New West, Groove Cat Books & Records, Kinder Books, Moodswing Coffee + Bar, New West Writers, Royal City Literary Arts Society, SFU Writer’s Studio, Steel & Oak Brewing Co., and Wildfires Bookshop. All events are free and residents are encouraged to pick up a flyer or visit the library’s festival web page for details at http://nwpl.ca/bridges
About the New Westminster Public Library
Founded in 1865, the New Westminster Public Library is committed to providing accessible and responsive community services, that balance the needs of traditional library users with those seeking the tools and experiences of a modern, technologically relevant public space. The library provides dynamic and vibrant means for the community to continually grow, learn, and succeed.
For more information, contact Caitlin MacRae, Programming Librarian, cmacrae@nwpl.ca.
-30-
