JOE FORTES LIBRARY
“A Library Is A Community’s Living Room”

“The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” (Albert Einstein)

In January of this year Joe Fortes Library welcomed a new head librarian. Mark MacKichan has worked in the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) system since 2015, most recently at the Yaletown branch, before coming to Joe Fortes.

Mark MacKichan , head librarian at the Joe Fortes branch.

“The West End is a special city within a city”, MacKichan says, “and a library is a community’s living room, where families learn and play together and neighbors make connections.”

The COVID years have been rough on that connection-making function of the library, but Joe Fortes is cautiously moving towards full reactivation of the programs, activities, and events that create those opportunities.

“We are very excited to again be offering in-library programs for children, youth, and families” says MacKichan.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., our “community’s living room” offers such programs as:

Babytime (Wednesdays, 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.) with rhymes, songs, bounces, and stories for parents and caregivers with their babies, recommended for newborns to approximately 18 months.
Family Story Time (Thursdays, 11 to 11:30 a.m.) when parents, caregivers and young children enjoy songs and share stories. Suitable for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy and learn together.
LEGO® Block Party (Tuesdays, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.) Drop in for some LEGO® building fun at this block party! Connect with other kids and break out the bricks for a building bonanza at the library. For Grades K-7.

And many more great activities for all ages.

World languages are well-represented on the Joe Fortes shelves, with collections in Spanish, German, Chinese, French, and Persian.

There are several other special collections to serve the many interests of our community. The Rainbow Collection holds fiction and non-fiction books for and about the LGBTQ community. As part of the VPL’s work to advance the goals of truth and reconciliation, the Indigenous Collection contains content for all ages, and is for all those who want to gain a better appreciation and understanding of First Nations history, culture, and peoples. The Indigenous Collection highlights the unique cultures and experiences of Indigenous communities, including individuals living in an urban setting, and encompassing titles that reflect the impact of residential schools and the theme of reconciliation.

These collections were developed in consultation with community organizations in Vancouver.

Having trouble with your home completer or connection? Desktop computer stations are available for public use at Joe Fortes. Each computer has a CD/DVD optical drive as well as USB, headphone, and microphone ports. Headphones are not provided, so remember to bring your own if you plan to listen to audio.

Research stations are only available for searching the catalogue or accessing VPL’s electronic resources. Anyone can use them without needing to sign in.

Internet stations have fewer restrictions and can be used for browsing the web, checking email, writing resumes, watching movies and much more. You will need your VPL or Internet Access barcode number and library PIN in order to log on or book a time slot. Each internet station computer comes equipped with: Firefox; Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, LibreOffice Suite; Note Pad; and Media Player.

Multi-language and multi-interest resources, computers with internet access, fun events for the whole family … and did we mention thousands of books? How could this not be our community living room?

Visit Joe Fortes’ website for further information and updated events and activities, and give them a call at 604.665.3972 to confirm current times of events you’d like to to join in on.