Joining the Summer Reading Club at the Squamish Public Library is easy! Come down to the library any time after June 29, 2022, to pick up your reading record and start reading! Record your reading every day to become eligible to win prizes at our weekly draw. These prizes include toys, games, books, food coupons, and much more! Read all summer and receive a medal at our award ceremony.
This summer, there will be lots of fun for kids at the library. Check the Summer Reading Club event schedule to see what’s happening each day. The Summer Reading Club coordinator will be in the children’s area all day Tuesday to Saturday to update your reading record and to help you find lots of great books to read. They will also be offering a lot of fun activities that you can join in – crafts, competitions, info sessions, and special guests from our community – find out more when you join the Summer Reading Club. Get ready to read – All Together Now!
All school-aged children are welcome to join this free program. We encourage every child of every reading ability to open a book that is perfect for them!
This July and August, we are hosting weekly “Meet your Community” events every Wednesday at the library. Events are designed for school children (ages 5 – 15). All events are free and everyone is welcome. (You don’t have to be registered for the Summer Reading Club to join these events.)
1. Wednesday, July 6, 1-4pm (drop-in all afternoon) – Meet a Balloon Artist & create your own balloon craft
2. Wednesday, July 13, 1-2pm – Meet a Kids’ Book Author– Virtual author talk with Mahtab Narsimhan – join online on zoom or watch together at the library – snacks provided
3. Wednesday, July 20, 1-2pm – Meet a Bear Expert – Michael Allen
4. Wednesday, July 27, 1-2pm – Meet a Police Officer
5. Wednesday, August 3, 1:30 – 2:30 pm – Meet a Firefighter
6. Wednesday, August 10, 1-2pm – Meet a Magician – Leif David
7. Wednesday, August 17, 1-2pm – Meet a Recycler – GFL staff member & their garbage truck
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.
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. Until now, September 30 has been 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.”
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:
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.
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
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.
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.
Indigenous Corporate Training Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. (ICT) provides training to support their mission of Indigenous Peoples training for everyone. Their comprehensive resources include a list of free e-books.
Indigenous Canada Open Online Course A 12-lesson free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
Indigenous Podcasts Vancouver Public Library Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Kung Jaadee shares this list of top podcasts by Indigenous creators keeping the storytelling tradition alive.
Squamish Nation Stories from the Heart This six-part Squamish Historical Society documentary opens a window on the Squamish Nation from the early 20th century to the present, through original video footage, archival and family photos and personal reminiscences.
First People of the Pacific Northwest: The Photography of Edward S. Curtis This Squamish Historical Society video documentary is based on selected images of Indigenous People from the State of Washington, British Columbia, and the coast of Alaska, captured by frontier photographer Edward S. Curtis between 1896 and 1930, during his journey across North America.
Squamish Atlas An online Skwxwú7mesh language place name map tool.
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.
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. This service adheres to Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.
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.
If you are interested in volunteering for our Visiting Library Service, please review the Volunteer Position Description, and complete the Volunteer Application below.
Please note: we are not accepting volunteer applications at this time. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about our next round of volunteer recruitment!
