By: Janis Cleugh, Tricity News
Ozobots, Spheros, WonderBooks, telescopes and binoculars.
Those are some of the tech toys being passed around at Coquitlam parks this summer via the Coquitlam Public Library’s new van, POP.
The Pop Up Library vehicle came into the fleet this spring and, after it was wrapped with a fun design created by publicity and promotions clerk Janet Matsumoto, it started rolling in late June.
So far, the van has parked at Mundy Park, Blue Mountain Park and Town Centre Park and by Eagle Ridge outdoor pool and Place des Arts.
And this week, to tie in with a summer camp, it’ll be outside Place Maillardville for kids to learn about the educational toys and other library resources.
The POP van has no set schedule, said Ann Johannes, the library’s community development liaison for programming and community connections; however, it’ll be at parks three or four times a week during the summer. On alternate days, it’ll be used for home deliveries to bring reading materials to older Coquitlam residents who are housebound or in care homes.
“One of the things we want to do is be where the people are,” said Johannes from Robson Park last Thursday, where she was demonstrating the tech toys with Rosanne Hoekstra.
To have the POP van at your community event, email ask@coqlibrary.ca.
STAGE 3 RETURN
Meanwhile, the Coquitlam Public Library last week moved into Step 3 of B.C.’s Restart Plan for the gradual reopening of its two branches: City Centre and Poirier.
That means occupancy limits are now gone and library users can visit without time restrictions.
New furniture — e.g., reading nooks, study carrels, couches, tables and chairs — is also in place.
And, to mark Stage 3, meeting rooms can be booked free of charge until Sept. 30 for up to four hours a day.
“It’s exciting to start seeing people come into the library after so long with limited services,” stated executive director Todd Gnissios, in a news release. “Hearing people laughing, seeing them collaborating and enjoying all the services we offer again is very gratifying.
“It is a good feeling seeing the library coming to life after the extreme quiet of the last 16 months,” he said.
The library is recommending that patrons continue to wear their face masks inside the branches.