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BookFest is back on Bowen!

The event is returning to Bowen Island Community School May 21-23

After a two year hiatus due to COVID, the BookFest comes roaring back Saturday, May 21, 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday, May 22, 10 am to 2 pm, and Monday, May 23, 10 am to 12 pm.

As usual, pocket books are $1, trade paperbacks $2, hardcovers $3 and DVDs $1. On Sunday you can fill any size box for $10. On Monday, books are free. We are actually sitting on two year’s worth of books, so get shopping!

You may wonder who the Friends of Bowen Island Library Society (FOBILS) are and what we do. Volunteers have supported literacy on Bowen for decades, beginning with the Annie Wood Memorial Library - the first library on Bowen - and bringing the Bookmobile over on weekends.

The Library Committee became FOBILS in 1978, with the sole purpose to develop public interest in, and the acceptance and establishment of a public library service on Bowen.

Our current Board consists of Rupert Ritchie, Chair; Steven Frazer, Vice Chair; Anna-Marie Atherton, Treasurer; Pam Miller, Secretary; and Ily Allen, Michael Penny and Greta Smith as Members at Large. We occasionally seek new members so feel free to speak with one of us. New members and volunteers are welcome.

And what have we been up to?

This is what we have funded at the Library: annual top-up of the salary for the summer reading programme, supplies for the summer reading programme, summer youth programmer, expansion of the juvenile collection, workshops, speakers, literary salons, author readings, a digital camera, name tags, memory kits, kid’s library card design and launch, intro of the tech tutor, library reno and painting, and the expansion of the Annex with $20,000 donated for construction and $10,000 for furnishings.

Literally and literacy, this is where the money from your book purchases goes! Thanks for all your support.

See you at the BookFest!