Press Releases

The Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library is holding a free, drop-in Christmas in the Library celebration on December 20 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. This fun family event is for all ages. Make an ornament to hang on the library’s Christmas tree, sing Christmas carols, enjoy a puppet show and share your favourite cookie recipes. The library is located at 7700 Minoru Gate. For more information call 604-231-6412.

Santa’s eagerly waiting to get your letter so he’ll know what to bring you this Christmas, so start writing! Kids of all ages are invited to visit the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library between December 15 and January 6 to write a letter or draw a picture for Santa. The library will provide the paper & pencils. Canada Post will have their Guinness World Records’ certified “World’s Largest Mailbox” in front of the library for mailing the letters. The Brighouse Branch is located at 7700 Minoru Gate in Richmond.“You can’t miss this mailbox – it’s red and it’s 5.43 meters tall and 2.64 meters wide,” said head of kids’ place, Virginia McCreedy.” This is part of Canada Post’s annual Santa Letter Writing Program, which helps promote literacy across Canada. “It’s a really great way to encourage kids to practice their writing skills and it’s also lots of fun for them,” said McCreedy. Don’t miss your chance to write to Santa!

Richmond Public Library, in partnership with Simon Fraser University, is hosting a Philosopher’s Café in Russian on December 15th from 7-9 p.m. in the performance hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The topic is: “The link between the Protestant reformation and the development of capitalism, and why Protestant countries are the most developed.” Guest speaker is Rev. Boris Bychkov. This is a free, drop-in program for Russian speaking adults. For information on other library events, visit www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.

With all the different options out there, it can be tough to choose the right eReader for that special someone – even if that special someone is you! That’s why librarians at Richmond Public Library are holding a free program called “How to Choose and eReader” (program #818) on December 1st from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Brighouse (Main) Branch 2nd floor program room, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. This program is open to all ages but registration is necessary. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.“This program will introduce you to some of the most popular eReaders available today, and give you some practical advice on choosing the one that’s best for you,” said Kat Lucas, Head of Ironwood branch. “We’re pretty sure that lots of people will be giving and getting eReaders for Christmas, so we thought we’d get a jump on things and arm people with the information they need to make an informed choice,” added Lucas. For more information please call 604-231-6413.

If you’re self-employed and want to learn about retirement income planning then come to a free seminar called “Financial Literacy for the Self-Employed” conducted by the Financial Literacy Counsel. The seminar will be held on November 8th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the performance hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The session is free but pre-registration is necessary. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.“Everyone wants to avoid costly mistakes when starting and managing their own business or practice. In this session you will learn retirement income and estate planning solutions every business owner should know. Alphil Guilaran, executive director and co-founder of the Financial Literacy Counsel said participants will learn:• How to structure long term savings plans including RRSP’s and TFSA’s as a business owner• Retirement income and tax planning strategies for business owners• Succession planning:o How to exit and maximize the value of your business.“We provide a safe, non-sales environment in which participants can learn valuable financial life skills. There is strictly NO promotion of financial institutions in this course,” stressed Guilaran.The guest speakers will be Alphil Guilaran, and Dat Huynh, a Certified General Accountant and the Managing Director of VeryOwnCFO™. The Financial Literacy Counsel began as a university student club in 1999 and today teaches over 2000 people a year by delivering programs for health authorities, universities and not for profit organizations.

The Richmond Public Library (RPL) will hold a Remembrance Day event on Sat. Nov. 5th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 7700 Minoru Gate, to remember and honour those who fought and gave their lives for our country. “Lest We Forget” is a free, drop-in program for all ages and the Mayor and City Councillors, local MP and MLAs will attend the opening ceremony at 11:15 a.m. “People will be able to meet war veterans and find out what life was really like during the war,” said multilingual services coordinator, Wendy Jang. “We’ll also have displays of war memorabilia and books and DVDs on Canada’s military history, for borrowing,” added Jang. Other activities of the day include:• Film: “Heroes Remember” from 12-1 p.m.• Poetry reading by winners of the Lest We Forget poetry competition from 1-1:30 p.m.• Presentation: “Deltans in the Great War” by historian Peter Broznitsky from 1:30-2:30 p.m.• Presentation: “One Hundred Years of Canadian War Brides” by family historian Annette Fulford from 2:30-3:30 p.m.• Have your picture taken with a real war backdrop.Kids ages 6-12 are invited to pick up a Poetry Contest entry form at any Richmond Public Library branch and write an original poem on the theme of “Lest We Forget”. The deadline to return the forms to any RPL branch is November 1st. The best entries will be chosen and read at our Remembrance Day event on November 5th at 1 p.m.“During our Lest We Forget event you can even help create a peace quilt,” said Jang. Everyone is welcome to attend this community event. It’s a chance to learn more about Canada’s military history and acknowledge the important contributions of our Canadian veterans.” For more information call 604-231-6413.

If you’re self-employed and want to learn how to read financial statements properly then come to a free seminar called “Financial Literacy for the Self-Employed” conducted by the Financial Literacy Counsel. The seminar will be held on November 1st from 7-8:30 p.m. in the performance hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The session is free but pre-registration is necessary. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.“Everyone wants to avoid costly mistakes when starting and managing their own business or practice. Our presentation is designed to teach you legal and tax strategies to ensure you maximize every dollar you earn and protect your assets if you get sued. Alphil Guilaran, executive director and co-founder of the Financial Literacy Counsel said participants will learn:• The difference between accounting and taxes• Tax and legal structures for businesseso Sole proprietoro Partnershipo Incorporated• Tax filing dates and penalties• When and if you should incorporate.“We provide a safe, non-sales environment in which participants can learn valuable financial life skills. There is strictly NO promotion of financial institutions in this course,” stressed Guilaran.The guest speakers will be Alphil Guilaran, and Dat Huynh, a Certified General Accountant and the Managing Director of VeryOwnCFO™. The Financial Literacy Counsel began as a university student club in 1999 and today teaches over 2000 people a year by delivering programs for health authorities, universities and not for profit organizations.

Are you constantly struggling to get a handle on your household clutter? Feel like you’re battling your stuff and the stuff is winning? Join clutter coach Anna Camporese for tips, insights and inspiration to get your started decluttering. The free workshop “Love it or Heave it : Decluttering” takes place on October 27th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the performance hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Registration is necessary and seating is limited, so reserve your seat now.Anna Camporese is a self-confessed recovering clutterholic. Her passion for old and quirky things, her creative eye that sees someone else’s trash as her potential treasure, and her waste-not-want-not credo has lead to a life-long battle with clutter. As a trained museum technologist who has worked in museums in Montreal and Ottawa, Anna understands the importance of historically significant artifacts and the need to maintain them in a professional manner. On the other hand, she has seen what damage is done when individuals hang onto things that are better tossed in the garbage, sent to recycling or passed on to charitable organizations.In an effort to curb her own clutter tendencies Anna has researched the topic for many years. She has never stopped learning how to curb her clutter tendencies. In 2004 Anna single-handedly disposed of her mother’s estate. A year later she repeated the process for her father’s estate. After those two events, Anna resolved that she will not burden her own children with the task of going through her things and asking themselves “Why did she save this?”

Come celebrate Science and Technology Week and the Year of Science in BC, at the fifth annual Brighouse Science Bash on Friday, October 21st from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The opening ceremony is at 10 a.m. For more information call 604-231-6413."Everyone is welcome to attend this free, fun learning event," said coordinator of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. “There will be lots of booths throughout the library with interactive displays, fun experiments and other hands-on, child-friendly activities. The idea is to take the mystery out of science and technology by creating an environment where kids can interact with science and technology professionals in different fields,” added Jang. This event is meant to encourage kids to take up careers in science later in life."There’s no school that day so students can come and enjoy all sorts of activities. Kids can: o Learn about the solar system and the mysteries of the universeo Witness “hair-raising” science experimentso Make candy DNA modelso Learn about bugs including the dreaded pine beetleo Learn about birds, how they fly, and how they make their nestso Enjoy the Beaver Tales Theatre Company production at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.“Quizzes and games are just a few of the things participants can expect to see. This year kids will be able to make 3D masks, learn about birds, mountains and lots more. National Science and Technology Week is a celebration of innovation, invention and imagination. “We want to raise awareness among young people about science activities and careers in science and technology,” added Jang.The organizations involved in this event include: Genome BC; National Research Council – Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics; Science World; Parks Canada; BC Hydro; SFU School of Interactive Arts; SFU Science in Action; Wildlife Rescue Association of BC; Natural Resources Canada; SFU Faculty of Applied Sciences; MS Infinity; Work BC; SFU Biological Sciences; Science Fair Foundation of BC; Royal Canadian Mint; Beaver Tales Theatre Company, and more. This event is co-sponsored by Richmond Public Library and various Federal Science Departments.

If you’re self-employed and want to learn how to read financial statements properly then come to a free seminar called “Financial Literacy for the Self-Employed” conducted by the Financial Literacy Counsel. The seminar will be held on October 18th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the performance hall at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The session is free but pre-registration is necessary. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.“Everyone wants to avoid costly mistakes when starting and managing their own business or practice. Our presentation is designed to teach you the critical principles you’ll need to run a successful and profitable business. Alphil Guilaran, executive director and co-founder of the Financial Literacy Counsel said participants will learn how to:• Implement a framework to balance your financial responsibilities at home and in business• Ensure that your business is profitable by correctly pricing your services• Understand the basic financial statements every entrepreneur should know• Understand the meaning behind the numbers• Uncover red flags on your financial statements.“We provide a safe, non-sales environment in which participants can learn valuable financial life skills. There is strictly NO promotion of financial institutions in this course,” stressed Guilaran.The guest speakers will be Alphil Guilaran; Dat Huynh, a Certified General Accountant and the Managing Director of VeryOwnCFO™; and Felicia Lee, a Business Coach/Advisor and founder of Candeo Communications Inc, a firm specializing in Business Development and Sales Systems for entrepreneurs and professionals. The Financial Literacy Counsel began as a university student club in 1999 and today teaches over 2000 people a year by delivering programs for health authorities, universities and not for profit organizations.

Richmond Public Library is partnering with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to offer “ESL Tutoring: Read, Speak, Succeed” sessions for young adult and adult immigrants who want to improve their English language skills. These free, drop-in sessions will take place at the Brighouse (Main) Branch library in the Richmond Chinese School Foundation Program Room, located at 7700 Minoru Gate.The sessions will take place on the following dates and times:• Tuesdays, Oct. 25 – Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.• Wednesdays, Oct. 26 – Dec. 14 from 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.• Fridays, Oct. 28 – Dec. 16 from 3 – 7 p.m.“ESL learners can get the help they need from trained peer-tutors to improve their English language skills,” said the library’s coordinator of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. “Everyone is welcome to join the ESL Conversation Circle in the last hour of each session to practice their speaking and listening skills,” added Jang. The sessions are funded by Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation. For more information please call 604-231-6413.

A cover letter is an opportunity to sell yourself to an employer. On October 25th from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon certified career practitioner Julie McMahon will present a free workshop on “How to Write a Cover Letter” in the second floor program room at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Registration is necessary and seating is limited, so reserve your seat now.According to McMahon, a good cover letter is an important part of the résumé package and should be included each time you apply for a job. A good cover letter will demonstrate your knowledge of the company you are applying to and how your skills and personal traits relate to the available position. “A cover letter allows you to highlight your skills and accomplishments so that you can gain the employer’s interest and prompt then to read your résumé. It also gives prospective employers an idea of the individual and the personality behind the résumé through the way you express yourself in the cover letter,” added McMahon. Come and learn how to write a persuasive cover letter, one that is sure to capture the employer’s attention.McMahon currently works as a job coach at Vancouver Coastal Health. She has also been a contractor at The Personnel Department, Grafton Recruitment, and Simon Fraser University.

Richmond Public Library, in partnership with Simon Fraser University, is hosting a Philosopher’s Café in Russian on October 20th from 7-9 p.m. in the second floor program room at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. The topic is: “A discussion on Catholic priest Edward Flannery, who devoted much of his life to the reconciliation of Christians and Jews and fighting anti-Semitism.” Guest speaker is Dr. Ari Belenkiy. This is a free, drop-in program for Russian speaking adults. For information on other library events, visit www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm.

They say you’re only as old as you feel, and Richmond Public Library doesn’t feel anywhere near its 35 years! In honour of the big day, the library invites the community to help celebrate its milestone birthday with fun events for the whole family on Sat. October 1st from 1 – 4:30 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 7700 Minoru Gate.“We’ll be offering fun activities like a birthday themed puppet show at 1:30 p.m. as well as birthday treats and a sing-a-long at 4 p.m.,” said chief librarian Greg Buss. “Other free events during the day will include hands-on activities that everyone in the family can enjoy,” added Buss. Family fun will focus on the theme of “librarian for a day”, where young and old alike can participate in a book sorting contest, answer fun reference questions, and see the robot inside the library’s huge DVD dispenser. There will also be a behind-the-scenes tour so people can get an insider’s look at how thousands of books a day are sorted on the library’s new automated sorting machine. A large screen TV on the main floor will show pictures of the library over its 35 year history. “So if you’re a longtime Richmond resident or even a newcomer, you’ll enjoy seeing how the library has changed so dramatically over the years,” added Buss.Since the birthday bash coincides with national Culture Days, the library will also have displays of books on writing, art, jewelry making, acting and other forms of creativity. So join the fun, bring the whole family, and come to the library’s 35th birthday celebration.

Technology and Early Childhood Development: A Free Workshop for Parents and CaregiversRichmond, BC – Today’s children age 3-5 spend four hours a day using different forms of technology. Infants watch TV on average for two hours per day. Occupational therapist Cris Rowan says this is too much. On Thursday, October 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Rowan is giving a free workshop for parents and caregivers at the South Arm Community Centre, 8880 Williams Road on the impact of technology on a child’s development, behaviour, and ability to learn. “As children increasingly connect to technology, they are at risk for delays in achieving developmental milestones needed for school entry,” says Rowan. A pediatric rehabilitation specialist with the Sunshine Coast school district for the past 15 years, Rowan will talk about the critical factors and strategies for healthy early childhood development and raise the question: are we losing our human connection in this age of technology obsession?Rowan’s free workshop, “Disconnect to Connect: Mixed Signals: Connection to Technology is Disconnecting Early Childhood Development”, is funded by Richmond Children First. Child minding is available, but must be requested at the time of registration. There are three ways to register:PARENTING WORKSHOP- DISCONNECT TO CONNECT- ADULTS (# 217901)Thursday, October 6th 6:30pm to 8:30pm FREEInternet: www.richmond.ca/registerPhone registration call centre: Mon. – Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm (604) 276-4300In person: at South Arm Community Centre during – facility hours: Mon. – Fri. 6:00am – 10:00pm Sat. / Sun.7:30am – 9:00pmCris Rowan is a frequent guest on CBC, and the recent author of Virtual Child – The terrifying truth about what technology is doing to children.-30-Media contacts: Marie Thom, Early Learning Teacher Consultant, Richmond School District at 604-668-6000 ext. 3270 or MThom@sd38.bc.ca

Suffering from a chronic disease can be debilitating, so why not learn how to manage your health and improve your quality of life? In partnership with the University of Victoria’s Centre on Aging, Richmond Public Library will be offering two free series on Chronic Disease Self-Management at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. Each session in the series is 2 ½ hours long and is free. Participants are encouraged to attend all six sessions in order to receive the Certificate of Participation. Registration is required and caregivers are welcome to attend but also need to register. To register, visit any branch of Richmond public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/whatson.cfm. Deadline for registration is September 17th.The first series is in Cantonese (program #525) and takes place on these dates: Thu Sep 22 9:30 AM Brighouse 2nd Floor Program Room Thu Sep 29 9:30 AM Brighouse 2nd Floor Program Room Thu Oct 6 9:30 AM Brighouse 2nd Floor Program Room Thu Oct 13 9:30 AM Brighouse 2nd Floor Program Room Thu Oct 20 9:30 AM Brighouse 2nd Floor Program Room Thu Oct 27 9:30 AM Brighouse 2nd Floor Program RoomThe second series is in Mandarin (program #526) and takes place on these dates: Sat Sep 24 10:00 AM Brighouse Board Room Sat Oct 1 10:00 AM Brighouse Board Room Sat Oct 8 10:00 AM Brighouse Board Room Sat Oct 15 10:00 AM Brighouse Board Room Sat Oct 22 10:00 AM Brighouse Board Room Sat Oct 29 10:00 AM Brighouse Board Room“Participants will learn about the symptoms common to various chronic conditions and they’ll also learn about the skills needed to improve their own health,” said the library’s coordinator of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. “They’ll learn how to set goals, take action, solve specific problems and communicate with health professionals to effectively manage their health and improve their quality of life,” added Jang.

Richmond Public Library, in partnership with the Richmond Employment Resource Centre and the Richmond Career Centre of Immigrant Services Society of BC will be hosting a Job Fair for job seekers and employers and those interested in career information, on Thursday, September 15 from 1-5 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond. Admission is free. Drop in. The opening ceremony takes place at 1 p.m. The fair will feature employers from a wide range of sectors including food, retail, hospitality, health, technology and more. The fair will offer employment opportunities at different levels to meet the needs of all job seekers. For more information call 604-231-6413.Employers will be on hand to share facts and information about specific job opportunities, provide information on career choices and the qualifications needed, and to guide interested candidates in the application process. “It’s a terrific opportunity for job seekers to meet prospective employers,” said coordinator of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. Job seekers are encouraged to bring their résumé and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews. Computers are available in the library for job seekers to make last minute changes to their résumés. Some of the companies and employers represented at the job fair include: City of Richmond – Fire & Rescue; City of Richmond; Sears; Adecco; Starbucks; Aerotek; Banana Republic; Commissionaires; Concord Security; Donald’s Fine Foods; FedEx Ground; Garden Protein International; HMS Host; Pizza Hut Restaurants; Professional Warehouse Demonstration; Safeway; University Canada West; UPS Canada; We Care Home Health; WorkSafe BC, and more.

According to Canadian Blood Services, approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. That’s why they’re encouraging people to donate blood at the Canadian Blood Services Bloodmobile that’s coming to the Richmond Library and Cultural Centre on August 23rd. The Bloodmobile will be open from 10 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. and people are asked to book their appointment in advance. To register to donate blood or to find out if you’re eligible call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) anytime.“The Bloodmobile is still relatively new in our community and we hope to expose more blood donors to this type of blood donation clinic,” said Nancy Bryan, Community Development Coordinator for Canadian Blood Services. “It’s basically a blood donor clinic on wheels that makes it easy for people to donate at a location that is easy and comfortable for them.”There are a few basic requirements for blood donation:• You must be at least 17 years old• You must weigh at least 110 lbs.• You must be in generally good health and feeling well.• ID is required.“People can donate blood every two months and you must hydrate well the day before you donate and the day of donation. Blood donors should also expect to rest and not exert themselves for the remainder of the day,” said Bryan. Other quick tips on donating include:• Be sure you have eaten well at least two hours before donating.• If you have a history of low iron, here are a few food options that can help you: beef, lamb, dark chicken or turkey meat, enriched Cream of Wheat, Instant Oatmeal, enriched cold cereal, roasted pumpkin seeds, bagels, pasta, asparagus, avocado and leafy greens.• It takes a little over an hour to donate blood but if it’s your first time, it may take longer, as the clinic staff will spend more time explaining each step to you.Bloodmobile staff encourage you to make an appointment to donate and call to cancel if you can no longer make the appointment. This frees up the slot for another donor. According to Canadian Blood Services one blood donation can save up to three lives. A recent poll showed that 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment. “Giving blood is the ultimate altruistic act, and can literally save lives,” added Bryan.Some interesting statistics:• A unit of blood is equivalent to about two cups. • Nearly half a litre of blood is taken from each blood donor and an average adult has between 4-6 litres of blood in their body. • 1 in 2 Canadians are eligible to give blood but only 1 in 60 actually does.• There is no substitute for blood.• Cancer patients can use up to eight units of blood per week during treatment.• Liver transplants can use up to 100 units of blood during surgery.• Car accident/trauma victims can use up to 50 units of blood during recovery.For more information please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

The Jewish Museum & Archives of British Columbia recently installed an exhibit of Richmond’s Jewish heritage, in the Ben and Esther Dayson Reading Lounge located on the 2nd floor of the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate. On display from June 5 to December 23, 2011 admission is free. Hours are Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Richmond, the exhibit includes photographs from the Nemetz Jewish Community Archives and artifacts from the Jewish Historical Society of BC. The exhibit details the history of early Jewish settlement in Richmond, the establishment of the Richmond Country Club and Richmond Jewish community life today. The exhibit is made possible by the Ben & Esther Dayson Charitable Foundation.By the 1890s, there were three Jewish storekeepers servicing the Steveston area: Simon Petersky, Israel Rubinowitz and Henry Sisson. Simon Petersky, a Russian immigrant, had homesteaded in 1884 at a first Jewish farm colony in Saskatchewan, called New Jerusalem. When the colony failed, he took a train out to Vancouver, where he established S. Petersky & Co. The Steveston outlet, named the Vancouver General Store, was the largest in the village, stocking groceries and provisions, tobaccos and cigars, temperance beer and gents’ furnishings.By 1971, citing a need for suitable Jewish education for their children, 60 families met to organize a Hebrew school and formed the Richmond/Delta Jewish Community Association. Today, the City of Richmond boasts a kosher bakery, a kosher butcher, four Synagogues and the Richmond Jewish Day School. At this time approximately 5,000 Jewish people reside in the Richmond area. For more information, contact the Jewish Museum & Archives of BC at info@jewishmuseum.ca or call (604) 257-5199. The Jewish Museum & Archives of British Columbia, as governed by the Jewish Historical Society of British Columbia, is the preeminent and authoritative body for the collection and sharing of community memory of Jewish life in British Columbia.

Are you a young adult between the ages of 15-30 who is trying to find a job? If so, then register for a free ½ hour employment counseling session to learn better job search skills, find out about useful resources, and make a job search plan that will help you find the job you love. Please register at the 2nd floor information desk at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public Library or call 604-231-6413.“Richmond Public Library and employment counselors from Connections Youth Resource Centre are working in partnership to offer these valuable sessions to young adults in our community,” said the library’s coordinator of multilingual services, Wendy Jang. “The one-on-one sessions are free, but each person is limited to one ½ hour session only,” added Jang. The sessions will be offered in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, on different dates. All sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m. in the large seminar room in the silent study room at the Brighouse Branch library, located at 7700 Minoru Gate:Wed Mar 9 English/Cantonese/MandarinWed Mar 23 EnglishWed Apr 6 English/Cantonese/MandarinWed Apr 20 English“The sessions are aimed at providing young adult job seekers, especially those who have had trouble finding a job, with job search knowledge and skills,” added Jang. Employment counselors will meet one-on-one with job seekers to assess their job search techniques and advise them on how and what they need to do to look for a job. People who need extra help will be referred back to Connections Youth Resource Centre for further assistance. Students who are looking for a summer job or part-time work are welcome to register for a session. For more information please call 604-231-6413 (English) or 604-231-6462 (Chinese).

Kids and families are invited to enjoy free storytelling, fun activities and games at the Brighouse (Main) Branch of Richmond Public library on January 23rd from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Kids’ Place Program Room, located at 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond. This drop in program is for all ages.“Family Literacy Day is a nation-wide literacy program that takes place each year to celebrate parents and children reading and learning together,” said librarian Kate Adams. “The theme this year is “Play for Literacy” so we’ll be offering a special storytime featuring Robert Munsch stories, followed by games, puzzles and other fun activities for the whole family,” added Adams.Adams emphasizes the importance of parents reading to and with their children, and says that reading to young children helps build the foundation for future success in life.