Contributed by Mary Duffy, Little Flower Academy
Word Literary Festival at VPL
This year our school library collaborated with Word, Vancouver’s free annual literary arts festival. This fest which occurs during the last weekend in September brings together authors, publishers and the public for a celebration of readers and writers. Held around and inside the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library this was one of their rainiest but also busiest festivals in its over 25 year history.
We publicized the event both in the library and on our website recruiting numerous teen volunteers as greeters and assistants to give information or to help with set up and take down. Teens not only obtained valuable service hours but were also able to meet and mingle with a wide range of authors. Many of the students choose to remain after their shift or come earlier in order to attend sessions. There were several excellent workshops hosted inside VPL with published writers offering some inspiring sessions throughout the day. A favourite was one hosted by award winning poet, Daniela Elza who presented prompts to inspire attendees resulting in the creation of some unique poems, stories and reflections.
I was invited to host on the children’s stage and had the honour of introducing authors such as the very prolific and talented Kallie George who shared her new chapter book based on Anne of Green Gables and Jane Whittingham, an LFA alum who is now a VPL children’s librarian as well as an author with Pajama Press. She read her picture book, Wild One which delighted young and old alike - You can check Jane’s work out on her blog Jane the Raincity Librarian.
https://www.raincitylibrarian.ca/
Authors ranged from adult non fiction writers such as Andrea Warner who read from her new authorized biography of Buffy Ste. Marie to master chef Vikram Vij talking about his journey to the best new adult, young adult and children’s writers.
Next year the festival will have a special focus on Indigenous authors. It’s an excellent opportunity for students, families, librarians and teachers to enjoy a day which features authors and activities for all ages. Interactive opportunities such as workshops and a chance to volunteer helps to ensure that this fest is a particularly lively literary celebration.
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