In Prince George we have a top-notch public library system with many free programs and services for all ages. The library has two branches, one in the downtown core and another in the Hart community.
Program offerings
Far from the stereotype of dusty books and gloomy looks from librarians who shush you, the Prince George Public Library is a vibrant place with several noisy programs. You might find youth in Nerf tag wars, crossing off a clue in a scavenger hunt and playing a WIIU video game. The library is a place to meet new friends, share ideas and discover something new.
The library offers several traditional programs, such as book clubs and early literacy story times for children and families. But more importantly it has an abundance of programs that wouldn’t normally come to mind when you think of a library.
Queer-Straight Alliance
For teens the library runs a city wide Queer-Straight-Alliance along with many other programs. The Queer-Straight-Alliance offers a safe space for LGBTQ teens and allies from all over the city to meet, hang out and enjoy some fun activities. The group has invited many interesting guest speakers from the mayor, to groups like Positive Living North. Being relevant to Teens is very important to the library and a way the library achieves that goal is through the Youth Advisory Board, which is made up of 25 teens from across the city. The Youth Advisory Board informs the library on services, materials, and programs and also volunteers during special events.
Read dating
A few times a year the library also runs Read Dating events for different age groups. Participants bring their favorite library artifact (book, CD, DVD, map, newspaper etc.) and chat about it while zipping around the room in speed dating fashion. There have been no reports of people tying the knot following a Read Dating event but many new friendships have been formed.
Tech help
As the world changes, the library strives to help close the digital divide for the citizens of Prince George. Along with free Internet access one of the librarians – known affectionately as Dr. Tech – runs programs weekly where he helps people with their tablets, laptops, smartphones and eBook setup for free!
After-school programs
Thursday after school is a great time for elementary age children to come by the library. For children 5-9 the library runs Family Lego Time, where children can meet new friends while playing with Lego. At the same time children 10-12 years old can attend Double Digit Drop-in. These children do a variety of games and activities; most recently they planted flowers and vegetables in the library’s Knowledge Garden.
We are so fortunate in Prince George to have such fantastic municipal library. After moving to our city one of the first things you should do is pick up a library programs guide and a free library card!
