Zoë Evamy’s expressive acrylic paintings capture the elusive world of wild birds in their habitat, while Susan Remnant reveals unexpected beauty and organic transformation through jewelry and sculpture. Together, they invite us to examine the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, permanence and metamorphosis and to celebrate our connection to the environment around us.
Buy a Library Tote Bag
Check out our new Squamish Public Library’s tote bags with artwork by Squamish-based artist Steffi Lai!
These tote bags have an inside pouch, key clip, and top zipper. There’s room to hold so many books.
How much?
- $30.00
Where to buy?
To purchase, please come to the library front desk. We accept cash, credit, or debit.
All proceeds go to supporting the Squamish Public Library.
About the Artist – Steffi Lai
A lot of Steffi Lai’s work is motivated by her passion for illustration. She incorporates this with her arts education background and her interests into her projects, and she values the importance of art foundations in design.
She is lucky to have been able to grow up here in the pacific northwest, where her current inspirations come from – its lush forests, majestic mountains, dark mysterious oceans, and the many creatures that dwell within them.
She has always found an appreciation for the life cycles of the natural world, finding beauty in decay and its contribution to new growth. When she’s not illustrating or designing, she loves to drink tea, venture outside, climb rocks, delve into true crime and the macabre, and collect all things cute, strange, and unusual. Steffi is humbled and grateful to be able to live and work in Squamish, BC, which is located within the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw traditional territories.
The Mill: Multimedia Art Exhibit
The Mill is an ongoing multimedia investigation into the forestry industry in British Columbia by artist Russell Gendron. The project uses sound-art and quilting to highlight first hand accounts of workers’ experiences in forestry on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory and around the province.
Visitors to the exhibit will hear sounds and stories associated with working in forestry including, environmental soundscapes, music made from machine noises and voices talking about daily tasks, industry closures, first experiences at work and much more.
Also on display are quilts made from forestry worker’s clothing. These quilts are made from donated materials and help bring the personal and intimate nature of the voices and sounds into the physical realm.
Find more detailed information about this project, and listen to the sound piece here.
On display now until November 16, 2024.
About the Artist:
Russell Gendron is an artist whose practice includes music, quilting, sound mapping and photography. He enjoys wandering around and chatting with others and then trying to translate this subtle and serene material into art.
Born in Vancouver, from ages eleven to sixteen Russell worked at a sawmill during the summers and on weekends. This was a formative period for him and inspired his project The Mill. He lives in Montreal.
Laurence Ramsay: Unlicensed Optimism
BC born multi-disciplinary artist and author Laurence Ramsay, creates surrealist hope-punk, solar-punk, and neo-futurist inspired works that seek to blend the line between where the urban and natural meet.
Believing as an artist that we as a society won’t move forward until we can find a peaceful merger between technological advancement and living in rhythm with the natural cycles of our planet, his work is inspired by aspects drawn from the beauty of the natural world, geometry, urban cityscapes, street art and urban movement practices, pagan spirituality and witchcraft, death, fringe subcultures, and the queer experience of living on the edges of society.
Ramsay uses spray paint, utilizing street art techniques drawn from graffiti and street art, as well as improvisational flow techniques, and general controlled chaos to bring his vibrantly coloured canvases to life.
Laurence Ramsay’s debut novel KYN is on sale now wherever books are sold.
Foyer Gallery Fundraiser 2024
The display cases and north wall of the Foyer Gallery are filled with beautiful artwork for our annual fundraiser art exhibit!
Donate for a chance to win art!
Make an online donation to become a “Friend of the Gallery” and receive:
- Entry into a random draw for a piece of art
- A tax receipt for the value of your donation
- Recognition in the Gallery
- Special notice of current and upcoming exhibitions
On September 9th there will be a random draw for a chance to win one of the 30+ pieces of artwork created by our Foyer artists and others.
Suggested minimum donation of $30.
The Foyer Gallery and the Squamish Public Library thank you for your support.
July is Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate the strength and diversity of individuals with disabilities.
Over 1 billion people comprise the global disability community, the most expansive and diverse minority group globally. People with disabilities are represented by all ages, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and socio-economic brackets.
Did you know that 27% of Canadians over the age of 15 have a disability, and that over 50% are expected to experience a disability at some point in their lives?
At our library, we invite you to learn more about disabilities through our dedicated book display and by taking our quiz. Test your knowledge and discover new insights!
Explore our diverse booklists:
Accessibility at the Library
Accessibility at the library is a priority for us. We strive to ensure that our space and services are accessible to everyone, including those with print disabilities. Learn more about our accessibility features and specialized services.
Celebrate With Us!
Visit us to explore a diverse collection of books, films, and resources that promote pride, understanding, and inclusion. Join us in honoring Disability Pride Month as we strive to build a more inclusive community together!
Summer Reading Club – World of Curiosities
BC Summer Reading Club is a free literacy program designed to engage children who’ve completed Kindergarten with libraries and reading, throughout the summer.
This year’s BC Summer Reading Club theme is World of Curiosities! It features artwork by Victoria-based children’s illustrator and teacher Meneka Repka.
How to participate?
- Pick up your reading record any time after June 27, 2024 and start reading!
- Record your reading every day to become eligible to win prizes at our weekly draw. Prizes include toys, games, books, food coupons, and much more.
- Read all summer and receive a medal at our award ceremony in August.
EVENTs: WOrld of Curiosities
- Every Wednesday in July and August between 1:00 – 2:00 pm there are free drop-in events in the Community Meeting Room.
- Daily activities like crafts, puzzles, scavenger hunts in the children’s area. There will always be something happening there!
- Special events throughout the summer.
Stay tuned to our event calendar for more information!
SUMMER READING CLUB BOOKLISTS
Stay up-to-date
Sign up for the library newsletter to hear about other upcoming events.
Indigenous History and Resources
The Squamish Public Library has materials for all ages to learn about Indigenous history, including the Indian Residential School experience and the ongoing Truth & Reconciliation process.
Below you will find suggested resources, both from the library and elsewhere.
Library Resources for Adults
First and second-hand accounts of legends and stories of First Nations (including Squamish Nation)
Resources that highlight national and local Indigenous-settler relations, both historic and contemporary. These resources explore key issues facing Indigenous peoples from an Indigenous perspective
Resources, history, and interviews related to the Squamish Nation and its members, customs, traditions, and history.
Library materials relating to the Residential School experience in Canada, including first person accounts from survivors, books for children, and the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Library Resources for Children
Picture Books About First Nations & Metis People
Children’s books about First Nations stories and lives, including Squamish Nation and Coast Salish stories.
Picture Books About Inuit People
Children’s books about the Inuit people. Related lists: First Nations Picture Books; Squamish Nation and Coast Salish Children’s Books
Picture Books About Residential Schools
Children’s books that reflect on the residential school experience in different ways. These have all been identified as age-appropriate for children under 12 by reputable organizations, like FNESC and Project of Heart. Adapted from CBC’s reading list.
Picture Books About Squamish Nation & Coast Salish People
Children’s books specifically about the Coast Salish and Squamish Nation peoples, including fiction and non-fiction.
External Resources
NAtional indigenous HIstory Month
In June, Canadians celebrate National Indigenous History Month to honour the history, heritage and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is also an opportunity to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous communities. (Source: rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
NAtional Day for truth and REconciliation
September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The federal statutory holiday, established in 2021, honours those who survived residential schools, those whose lives were lost and those whose suffering and trauma is ongoing. September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day, a day for Canadians to raise awareness of the history, harm and legacies of the Canadian residential school system by wearing the colour orange.
This holiday was established in response to Call to Action 80 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
“We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
PAST EVENTS
In 2021, the library honoured the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, by listening to Squamish Nation Elders. You can watch the recording of Honouring Residential School Survivors online:
Namwayut – An Evening with Chief Robert Joseph (recording)
On April 12, 2023, we had the honor of hosting Chief Robert Joseph in Squamish to speak about his new book Namwayut: A Pathway to Reconciliation. Chief Joseph spoke about his experience at St. Michael’s Indian Residential School, his own immense work towards Reconciliation, and his vision for Canada and the world if we all take part in Reconciliation work. You can watch the recording of the event online:
Workshop Series with Tsawaysia Spukwus
June is Indigenous History Month! To celebrate, the Library will be hosting Tsawaysia Spukwus of the Squamish Nation for a series of hands-on workshops including wool weaving and drum making.
All workshops will be free and online, and all materials will be provided for participants! Everyone is welcome to attend, and registration is required.
Squamish Nation member and educator Tsawaysia Spukwus (Alice Guss) is masterful at bringing innovative learning opportunities to all people through workshops, drumming, singing, dancing and storytelling.
There are three different dates for each workshop. Choose the one that’s best for you!
To register for a workshop, click the date and time you want. Please only register for each program once.
Wool Weaving Workshops (week of June 14)
Tuesday, June 15, 6:30-8:00 pm – waitlist
Wednesday, June 16, 6:30-8:00 pm – waitlist
Thursday, June 17, 6:30-8:00 pm – waitlist
Drum Making Workshops (week of June 21)
Tuesday, June 22, 6:30-8:00 pm – waitlist
Wednesday, June 23, 6:30-8:00 pm – waitlist
Thursday, June 24, 6:30-8:00 pm – waitlist
Visiting Library Service
About
Our Visiting Library Service provides free home delivery of library materials and resources for home-bound members of the community. Through this program, volunteer library ambassadors provide personal phone calls and connections to patrons, reserve and deliver library materials and resources.
Contact 604-892-3110 or visitinglibrary@squamish.ca with any questions about the service.
Patrons
If you are a senior or Elder in Squamish who would benefit from home delivery of library materials, please complete our Visiting Library Service Patron Registration Form below. If you aren’t able to apply on the computer, you can call the library (604-892-3110) to register over the phone or request a paper form.
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for our Visiting Library Service, please review the Volunteer Position Description, and complete the Volunteer Application below.
Read the Volunteer Position Description here.
Volunteer applications are currently closed. Sign up for our newsletter to hear about future opportunities.