Press Releases

Richmond, BC – Together with Mary Wilson, a passionate local advocate, Richmond Public Library (RPL) is welcoming the community to attend a variety of Black History Month programs and activities for all ages. “2025 celebrates 30 years since Dr. Jean Augustine in 1995 spearheaded the Motion that passed unanimously by The House of Commons to recognize February as Black History Month across Canada,” said Mary Wilson. “We give thanks to all who were involved across Canada along with Dr. Jean Augustine for making this happen.”

Join us on Sunday February 9 for a full day of celebrating Black history, voices and culture in Canada. Visit the Brighouse library from 11:00am to 3:00pm to take part in a host of free events, including:

• The unveiling of the historical Canadian figure being honoured on this year’s Black History Month stamp, hosted by Canada Post representatives Jackie Bailey and Maurice Earle.

• A panel discussion featuring Doctor of Philosophy Leland Harper, Inclusive Leadership Coach Shelley Vidal and Richmond Board of Education Superintendent of Schools Chris Usih, which will highlight discussion about the 30^th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada.
• A musical performance for children and families by well-known musician and gospel choir director Checo Tohomaso. Come and learn a little about soul music, dance and have fun.
• An author talk, reading and Q&A with local author Ruby Diaz. Ruby’s book, Searching for Serafim, is a fascinating and personal exploration of one of Vancouver’s most notable historical figures, Joe Fortes.

Other activities taking place throughout the month include a trivia challenge for children and families about Black Canadians and historical events, and a film screening of the biopic film Till on February 25 at the Brighouse library.

Black history and culture is rich and varied and has had a tremendous impact on our community. To learn more about Black history, be sure to explore the library’s Black History Month book displays, featured at all library locations. These displays highlight the contributions, successes, struggles, and stories of the Black community in Canada and around the world.

Visit RPL’s events calendar to explore all of the Black History Month programs.

Richmond, BC – Richmond Public Library and the City of Richmond are pleased to announce that they will continue hosting the Community Services Connectors program in 2025 to assist Richmond residents to find and access community resources.
The Community Services Connectors program provides peer-led, one-on-one support for Richmond residents seeking information about social services, affordable housing, employment resources, and other free or low-cost community programs. Every Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00pm, residents are invited to drop in to the Living Room at Ironwood Library (8200-11688 Steveston Highway) to access support, enjoy a drink and snack, and connect with a Community Services Connector.
The program also features Snacks & Facts workshops. Led by local organizations and offered at various times throughout the year, these workshops focus on practical and timely topics in response to community need. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, January 28 and Tuesday, February 25 from 2:00 to 4:00pm, and will focus on building financial security through tax filing, accessing benefits and tax credits, and saving and investing.
Since its launch in January 2024, the program has assisted close to 380 community members, proving to be a valuable resource as more Richmond residents have been experiencing affordability pressures.
The Community Services Connectors program supports the library’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan to leverage new and existing cross-sector partnerships to meet diverse and changing community needs. It also advances actions in the City’s 2021-2031 Collaborative Action Plan to Reduce and Prevent Poverty in Richmond related to the development of programs and services that address the needs of specific population groups at risk of or living in poverty and the development of targeted outreach opportunities.
For more information about the Community Services Connectors program, including upcoming Snacks and Facts workshop details, visit yourlibrary.ca or richmond.ca/CommunityResources.

Richmond, BC – Richmond Public Library is pleased to announce that our popular free “Learning Together” family literacy program will return to both the Ironwood and Brighouse libraries this January.  Sponsored by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, this eight-week program for preschoolers and caregivers will run at the Brighouse library on Wednesday mornings from January 22 to March 12 and at the Ironwood library on Thursday mornings from January 23 to March 13. Participants are requested to register to attend at one location only.

This program supports early literacy development and helps parents to discover new ways to connect with their child and make learning fun.  Parents and children ages three to five will enjoy various hands-on activities, with storytimes and crafts at each weekly session. Early childhood skills emphasized in this program include language development, relationship building and school readiness.

The Learning Together program provided a “very welcoming environment that allowed me to connect with other families. My daughter looked forward to the class every week!” said a parent who previously attended the program with their child.

Did you know that library cards are free to obtain, and that RPL is proudly fine free?  Parents are encouraged to sign up their children for their own library cards so they can access all of the library’s resources for children, including valuable programs like this as well as books, puzzles, games and much more. For more details about the Learning Together program, interested families should check out our online event calendar at www.yourlibrary.ca/events, or call the library at 604-231-6412.