Write to Read BC

Category: News

Library openings, or other stories for a general News audience. (Not for minor updates for teams or partners.)

  • Fort Rupert library opens

    For Rupert celebrated the grand opening of a library, on August 20, 2013. Fort Rupert is a west-coast, First Nation community located next to Port Hardy, BC. This is the 8th library installed in an isolated community by Write to Read BC.

    This library was a collaborative effort between participating partners. Three Rotary Clubs—Burnaby Metrotown, Port McNeill, and Port Hardy—worked in partnership with the Kwakiutl band of Port Rupert. Britco Structures (now Boxx Modular) donated the modular building, and BC Ferries assisted with its delivery. TLD Computers, with London Drugs and Hewlett Packard, donated the computers.

    The contents of the library—the books, cataloguing, computer systems, and shelves—were assembled by Write to Read BC’s library response team, Carol and Barbara. In what was a truly cooperative effort, they were joined by Bonnie Sutherland of North Delta Rotary Club and Afroteck, and Marion Hunt, Carole Ford, and many other Fort Rupert community volunteers.

    Dignitaries at the opening of Fort Rupert libraru.

    Lieutenant-governor of BC Judith Guichon opened the library. Also in attendance at the opening were Rotary District Governor Ken Wilson (D5040) and Peggy, along with Gloria Wing Stadt, Bala Naidoo, Elizabeth Cheung, and Darlene Broadhead of the Burnaby Metrotown Club.

  • Write to Read BC keeps sponsor

    In her 2013 annual statement, Judith Guichon, lieutenant-governor of BC, said she will continue to build on the literacy program developed by Steven Point, the preceding lieutenant-governor of BC.

    Point developed the Write to Read BC project by partnering with several Rotary Clubs in the province.

    Steven Point was Lieutenant Governor of BC from September 2007 to November 2012.
    Steven Point (middle) pictured in a newly installed library. Point was lieutenant-governor of BC from September 2007 to November 2012.

  • Yunesit’in library opens

    On September 11, 2012, the BC community of Yunesit’in, Stone, opened a library, thanks to Write to Read BC.

    The Rotary Club of Williams Lake joined the community to install and open the facility. The Rotary Club of Sechelt gave a $15,000 grant for books. Steven Point, the lieutenant-governor of BC, attended the opening.

    Point said the library is an example of what can be accomplished when people work together.

    Britco donated a 10×40-foot trailer that was used during the 2010 Olympics by the media, and transported it to Stone. The Rotary Club Williams Lake purchased a second trailer. The community itself told its partners their vision: a library and a community centre.

    Two connected modules house a library and a community centre for the Yunetsin'in community in Stone.
    People celebrate the opening of a combined library-community centre.