The Vancouver Island Regional Library branches remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but are still offering services to cardholders across its library system.
“Social distancing can be a lonely experience for our customers, and VIRL staff have been working hard to find new, innovative, and exciting ways to help,” said the VIRL’s executive director, Rosemary Bonanno. “Your libraries remain as places you can turn to for support, services, and connection. We will continue to innovate in the face of the fluid and unpredictable landscape we find ourselves in as a result of COVID-19.”
Some of the newest services and enhancements VIRL has made available:
Online Registration
Online registration for anyone who wants to take advantage of VIRL’s online resources. A library card is your gateway to ebooks, audiobooks, streaming movies and TV, music, and more.
Sign up here: https://virl.bc.ca/get-help/get-a-card/
24/7 WiFi
To help everyone stay connected, VIRL is now offering 24/7 WiFi outside branches. Those taking advantage of this service are reminded to follow all social distancing protocols as mandated by local health authorities.
Overdrive
VIRL has added unlimited copies of ebooks and audiobooks available on a wide selection of popular titles — no holds, no waiting lists.
RBDigital
Access to thousands of downloadable audiobooks and magazines.
READ MORE: Book returned to Vancouver Island library 42 years overdue
Lynda.com
Lynda.com offers courses with a focus on skills for business, creative industries, education, information technology, software, and web development. The tutorials are high quality and led by industry experts.
Press Reader
The world’s largest online newspaper and magazine kiosk, where you can browse and read hundreds of full-content premium newspapers and magazines from around the globe.
IndieFlix
This streaming movie service provides unlimited access to award-winning shorts, feature films, and documentaries from major festivals such as Sundance, Tribeca, Cannes.
Tumblebooks
Teachers and homeschoolers can find free educational ebooks for students from kindergarten to high school. No library card is required to access Tumblebooks.
• Kindergarten through elementary
• Middle school through high school
Mango Languages
Mango immerses you in real, everyday conversations in 45 different language courses, including Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.
Music
Access millions of downloadable and streaming music from Freegal Music and the Naxos music library.
More info: virl.bc.ca
— NEWS Staff