Starting in Central Saanich, the two at the helm of the Greater Victoria Public Library board took a cycling tour of the system’s 12 branches in 10 communities last Saturday (June 10).
Dubbed the Bookin’ It! GVPL Branch Bike Tour 2023, board chair Andrew Appleton and vice-chair Shahira Khair cycled nearly 70 kilometres on the rainiest day of the month so far.
Appleton, who is also an Oak Bay councillor, said he couldn’t think of a more fitting way to mark the first six months of his tenure, combining his passion for cycling with a love of public libraries.
This whirlwind journey combined their passion for libraries and adventure and saw this dynamic duo pedal through bustling streets and scenic routes. They aimed to promote a love for libraries, fitness, and community engagement. Job well done. 12 branches in one day. Amazing! pic.twitter.com/v0coQkr5HD
— GVPL (@gvpl) June 11, 2023
“Our libraries play such an important role in fostering knowledge, community and personal growth. This trip was the perfect way to combine my love of cycling and community libraries, all while connecting with some of the amazing frontline staff who work at our branches,” said Appleton.
The pair rolled up to the Oak Bay branch shortly after 5:30 p.m. to finish the journey.
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“For me, this experience underscored the benefits of our shared service model and the broad range of resources available to our 10 member municipalities. There truly is something for everyone. Visiting each branch and meeting with library staff has been an incredibly rewarding experience. We were overwhelmed by their passion for literacy and commitment to providing exceptional service to our community,” Khair said.
The GVPL also opened registration for the BC Summer Reading Club at all locations earlier this week. The annual summer program offers young readers with adventures, activities and prizes. Visit ow.ly/Ki0f50OMrr2 for details.
