Volunteerism has always been at the heart of Bowen Public Library. Started by the volunteer Ladies Auxilliary of the Legion in the early 1960’s, Bowen Library has grown into a thriving and much valued community resource that continues to be supported by volunteers.
From the Library Board and the Friends of the Library, to fundraising and program support volunteers, we couldn’t do it without you! If you are interested in volunteering for the library we would love to hear from you.
Teen Volunteers
Teen Advisory Group is the main way that teens contribute to the Library. At TAG, teens participate in and plan fun activities, make suggestions for our collection, and get to meet other Bowen Island teens.
Whether for school service hours, to get involved in the community, or to add to your resume, volunteering at Bowen Library is a great way to give back to your community and make the library a better place for teens.
Fundraising Volunteers
Once a year we are invited by Bowen Island Recycling Depot to participate in their fundraising program where volunteers sort and pack up refundable drink containers. Thanks to the efforts of these volunteers, this opportunity is a significant fundraiser for the Library. If you would like us to add you to our list of fundraising volunteers and participate in the future, please contact us at info@bowenlibrary.ca.
Program Partners
Volunteers play an important role in many of the programs we offer for free to the public. Members of the public with ideas for programs they would like to present can submit a program proposal and, if accepted, partner with us to deliver presentations, author talks, clubs, and events that benefit the community.
Bowen Island Library Board
The Library Board is composed of 10 volunteer trustees and one municipal councillor and their role is to ensure that leadership, policies, financial resources and infrastructure are in place to support the Bowen Island Public Library. They are Bowen residents who are dedicated to upholding the ideals of a free, public library that nurtures and facilitates learning and discovery through the sharing of knowledge and ideas.
Friends of the Bowen Island Library Society
The Friends (FOBILS) are a group of dedicated Bowen residents who care deeply about Bowen Island Public Library. They have dozens of members, some active all year and others pitching in as needed, who work to fundraise through book sales and other community events on behalf of the Library.
They are committed to the Library and greatly value our role in the community. Their fundraising supports small and large projects at Bowen Library, such as author visits, Summer Reading Club, and the building of the Annex extension of the Library.
For questions about joining FOBILS, please email the library at info@bowenlibrary.ca and we will pass on your email to the group.
Other Volunteer Roles
Other support roles at the Library come up on occasion. These include book covering and special projects or programs that may need volunteer support.
While we do not require volunteers for these types of roles at this time, feel free to contact us if you have questions about volunteering opportunities at the Library.