The library

By Rita Button

Tucked away in the building that houses the James Bay Community Project on Michigan Street is a library that feels as if it’s a bridge to the middle twentieth century. When you enter this relatively small room filled with books, you will feel as if you have left the noisy, fast world behind, for you will be welcomed and invited to browse the collection for as long as you want. You will not hear the click of computer keys or the sound of a telephone. What you will likely hear and see are a few people talking to each other at the desk, not intrusively, just a quiet conversation, and one or two people browsing the shelves. It’s extremely pleasant.

When I mention this library to friends, they often look at me as if they think I’m lying. They don’t believe James Bay has a library, but this room does exist and it offers a wonderful service for those of us who know it’s there.

The collection, mostly a result of donations, is composed mainly of adult fiction, including mysteries. However, a small number of children’s books and young adult books, non-fiction as well as travel books are also shelved. While most of the collection consists of books, some technical versions have crept in to this space. Cassette tapes, DVD’s and VHS are examples of the kind of technology they stock because “not all people are able to operate the latest computerized or digitized devices, so we try to have products that people who come here can operate.” That’s what Lisa Gleinzer told me as she explained the library room to Glenda Scott ( a fellow volunteer reporter) and me when we talked to her and Kaye Kennish, executive director, one afternoon last week.

Lisa, the coordinator of volunteers and community programs for the James Bay Community Project, is grateful for the volunteers whose time and effort keeps the library open. I lost count of the number of times she said, “We couldn’t do it without the volunteers,” in the hour we spent talking. Forty volunteers keep the library open thirty hours a week. Many of them know a lot about books and literature; some of them were librarians in the time before they became volunteers. One of them has volunteered at that library for seventeen years!

Volunteers complete library tasks such as shelving the books, organizing the donations, creating displays, and tracking overdue books. But there’s a human element that’s of great benefit and that often goes unnoticed. For example, some people go to this library to practice their English speaking skills by talking to the volunteer on duty. Others have found a friend and will make sure to appear some time during the time when specific volunteers are working. These kinds of interactions create the feeling of community. It’s one reason that people feel as if they belong when they walk into the room.

Some really good ideas are the result of volunteers’ suggestions. The display to the left of the entrance shows what’s new at the library. “That,” Lisa says proudly, “is a volunteer’s idea!” Next to it is the display of classic novels, each in the latest published version the library has available.

This library is known as a depository, a designation that means It has a connection with the Greater Victoria Public Library, but it is not a branch. The City of Victoria funds a transaction in which this library is able to borrow 400 books from the Main Branch and then lend them to the JBCP library patrons. This collection is exchanged every three months so that all readers have access to different titles and new authors. This is the extent of the connection between the two libraries, but it is a collaborative relationship.

To borrow a book that belongs to the Main Branch, a borrower must have a library card. However, to borrow a book from the rest of the collection, the borrower needs only to indicate name, address and phone number. Sometimes, however, when the would-be borrower does not have this information readily available, a phone number will do. Both Kaye and Lisa were adamant that they did not want to place obstacles in the way of anyone’s desire to read, thereby discovering new worlds.

Lately, Capital Park with its adherence to the Victoria Accord which was passed in 1992 has been in the news. A part of the Accord requires a library to be a part of the design for the area which will include condos, apartment buildings, and retail space. While these ideas are being discussed, no strategic plan or budget has yet been set, although discussions are occurring. Kaye was very clear: “It is important to use and enjoy the facility we have. The date for possible approval of a budget for the proposed library is 2017, and, at this time, it appears uncertain as to when a new library might become a reality.”

JBCP appreciates the annual funding from the City of Victoria that enables the Project to maintain its current library. At this time, the new library is an unknown entity, and we should enjoy what we have and trust that people will continue to find places for those of us who enjoy books, who love to create relationships with people because of books, and want to find ways of deepening the conversations among us as a result of the authors we have read, and the audio tapes we have heard.

When I asked the question what’s the most fun you can have in this library? Lisa thought for a minute, but then she recounted that she often hears people laughing together inside the room filled with books. The laughter makes her feel good, but it likely makes those laughing feel even better!

Finally, I asked what wish she would like granted. Her response was immediate: more shelves.

Both Lisa and Kaye showed that they want the effort of the volunteers to continue. The library fills an important need in the James Bay Community.

The James Bay Community Project also has a family resource centre which offers a number of programs for young children and their parents. Outside this room is a book shelf for children known as the “Give a book; take a book” shelf. Children are free to bring and take whatever books they’d like from this shelf. How community minded is that?

The idea of sharing through reading is what makes the library work. While changes may occur, the basic tendency of human beings reaching out to each other through volunteering and taking advantage of resources offered freely and willingly are partly what make our lives meaningful and happy.

So, if you haven’t yet managed to connect with the magnificent volunteers who keep the library going, it’s time to hustle over there, introduce yourself, ask for a book, discuss why you’d like that one, take some time to read it, and wait for the magic to happen.