CPL joins 500 libraries across Canada in first bilingual digital book club

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Caledon Public Library (CPL) has joined over 500 other Canadian libraries in the first bilingual digital book club.

One eRead Canada is a national digital reading initiative that connects libraries and their readers across Canada to come together as one. It was developed by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC). It is the first digital reading program of this size. 

The program began last year, having taken place in the month of June, where libraries and their readers enjoyed Glass Beads by Dawn Dumont. It was chosen to recognize and support the Indigenous community and a Canadian author. 

This year, for the first time, One eRead Canada has selected a bilingual title for the initiative called Vi by Kim Thúy beginning on January 1 to the 31. 

Readers in multiple communities across the country will have digital access to Vi, available on various platforms including eBook and audiobook. The title will be available in both English and French.

CPL is ecstatic to join this year to bring readers together, and what better time for it then now.

“As members of the Southern Ontario Library Service's shared Overdrive collection, Caledon Public Library has the opportunity to automatically be a part of One eRead Canada,” said Megan Renkema, Manager of Information Services at CPL. “CPL embraces every opportunity to promote literacy, bring people together through reading, and highlight our digital collections.”

eBooks have become an easier to access way for readers to gather new titles on devices such as eReaders and reading apps on their mobile devices. Local libraries, such as CPL, have seen increases in uses of eBooks or audiobooks. CPL just this year saw an increase of 43 per cent eBook and eAudio collections. 

“eBooks, as well as books, are an important means of connecting and understanding the world around us and the importance of access to digital content has never been so clear as we've seen through this pandemic,” said Renkema. “Libraries continue to work with the big publishers to establish fair pricing models for libraries that can benefit everyone and ensure equitable access to digital content such as eBooks and eAudiobooks.”

CPL encourages local readers to participate in their first bilingual national digital book club and join in all the other readers across the country. 

Readers can join by creating an Overdrive account, which is free with a CPL library card, and borrowing Vi by Kim Thuy either eBook version, or eAudiobook. Anyone in need of assistance with getting an Overdrive account or receiving the digital book can reach out to reference@caledon.librarary.on.ca for help or call (905) 857-1400 ext. 244.

Residents can also participate in national online discussions as well as live virtual events that will be hosted by One eRead Canada on their Facebook page.

CPL will also be reading Vi as a part of their “Reading Other Lives” online book club which will be discussed on Zoom on January 15.

Vi by Kim Thuy shares the experiences and lives of Vietnamese refugees in Canada. The title was a finalist for the 2019 Governor General's Literary Award as well as longlisted for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

“It is an excellent choice for a Canada-wide shared reading experience,” said Renkema,

“Everyone benefits from stronger and better eContent in libraries”, said Colleen Lipp, CPL's CEO and Chief Librarian. “One eRead Canada is raising awareness about library access to eContent and encouraging dialogue about a wonderful Canadian book. This initiative falls perfectly in line with our mission to nurture connections, collaboration and creativity.”

For further information, please visit Caledon.library.on.ca.