Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Community Literacy Committee

05/07/2026

A wonderful event at the Maple Ridge Library to get your kid a new toy without spending a dime and to connect with other parents!

It’s happening today - don’t miss it!

🧸♻️ BABY TOY SWAP - TODAY at the Maple Ridge Library! ♻️🧸

Ready to refresh your little one’s toy collection without spending a dime? Bring gently used baby toys your child no longer plays with and swap them for “new-to-you” treasures from other families!

📅 Thursday, May 7
⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Maple Ridge Public Library

✨ Please bring toys that are:
✔ Clean
✔ No rips, tears, or stains
✔ Washing machine or dishwasher safe

No minimum number of items needed to participate!

Come connect with other parents, reduce waste, and give toys a second life 💛

Hosted by Fraser Valley Regional Library

05/04/2026

Did you plan how to improve your English this week?

Learning English can actually be fun with our conversation circles — learning among friends, through conversation and connection. Did you know you don’t have to choose just one conversation circle — you can come to all of them - free, no registration required!

Here’s when you can join:

📍 Mondays — 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Pitt Meadows Library)
📍 Tuesdays — 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Maple Ridge Library)
📍 Tuesdays (NEW!) — 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Maple Ridge Library)
📍 Wednesdays — 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Maple Ridge Library)
📍 Thursdays — 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM (Women’s Group, Maple Ridge Library)

🌎 Come once… or come every day — everyone is welcome. Let’s learn together!

04/25/2026

Learning ukulele is a lot like learning a new language 🎶
…and we know you’re already pros at that 😉

Join the Ukulele Circle in Maple Ridge this Sunday!

No experience needed—just come, play, and have fun 😊

🎼🎸🪕🎻 Join the Maple Ridge Ukulele Circle on Sunday, April 26 for a fun-filled musical afternoon! 🎼🎸🪕🎻
Don't have a ukulele? You can borrow both left-handed and right-handed ones from us by clicking this link: https://bit.ly/4f7F3gK

04/24/2026

As National Volunteer Week (April 19–25) comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate something truly special—our volunteers.

This year’s theme, Ignite Volunteerism, is exactly what you do every single week. 💛

At the Community Literacy Committee, our conversation circles are entirely run by volunteers—dedicated native English speakers who generously give their time to support newcomers. You don’t just help people practice English… you help them feel confident, connected, and welcomed in a new country.

You create spaces where conversations turn into friendships, where learning feels safe, and where people begin to feel at home. That impact goes far beyond words.
To each and every one of you— THANK YOU. Your kindness, patience, and commitment are what make this community stronger.

And if this inspires you to get involved, we are always happy to welcome new volunteers and to have more conversation circles at the library. You can volunteer your way—you pick the day!
Apply here: https://www.readridgemeadows.ca/volunteerform
✨ Together, we continue to ignite volunteerism—one conversation at a time.

04/22/2026

04/14/2026

🗣️ No English? No problem! Let’s learn together.

START THIS WEEK!

Join our English Conversation Circles – a free, welcoming program where you can build confidence, meet new people, and improve your speaking skills.

📍 Locations & Times:
• Mondays (11:30 AM – 1 PM) – Pitt Meadows Library
• Tuesdays (10 AM – 11 AM) – Maple Ridge Library
• Wednesdays (10 AM – 11 AM) – Maple Ridge Library
• NEW! Tuesdays (6:30 PM – 7:30 PM) – Maple Ridge Library
• Thursdays (10:45 AM – 12:15 PM) – Women’s Group, Maple Ridge Library

✔ Learn with a native English speaker
✔ Everyone is welcome
✔ Make friends and grow together

💬 Drop in – no registration needed!
👉 Learn more: www.readridgemeadows.ca

03/14/2026

While some settlement services in Canada will soon have new eligibility limits, our English Conversation Circles remain open to everyone.

Join our free drop-in English Conversation Circles at the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Libraries — a safe and friendly space to practice English, meet people, and build confidence.

✔ No registration
✔ No immigration status required
✔ Just drop in and join the conversation

Read about the IRCC policy update:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-settlement-service-eligibility-economic-immigrants.html

🇨🇦Important update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)🇨🇦

IRCC has announced upcoming changes to settlement service eligibility for economic immigrants.

Currently, economic class permanent residents can access federally funded settlement services until they become Canadian citizens.

Under the new policy:
• Starting April 1, 2026: eligibility will be limited to 6 years after obtaining permanent residency
• Starting April 1, 2027: eligibility will be reduced to 5 years after obtaining permanent residency

These changes will apply to current and future economic class permanent residents, including accompanying spouses and dependents.

Learn more:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/changes-settlement-service-eligibility-economic-immigrants.html

03/13/2026

Superstitions look different around the world! 🌍
Here’s a fun cultural fact for Friday the 13th — and no matter what, it’s still Friday! 😊

03/12/2026

Missed the Multicultural HUB yesterday at the Maple Ridge Library?
You still have a chance to connect today!
Join the Community Connectors at the Pitt Meadows Library from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. If you are a newcomer and have questions about life in the community, services, or resources, stop by and say hello.
Everyone is welcome! 🌍

03/11/2026

Our English Conversation Circles at the library help many newcomers practice speaking, build confidence, and improve their everyday English.

But while continuing to learn English, it’s also important to understand how communication works in the workplace. Knowing how to listen actively, participate in meetings, and use inclusive language can help you feel more confident and job-ready.

That’s why we’re happy to share this FREE webinar from the Global Talent Loans Program:

“Communication at Workplace”

📅 Date: March 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM (Vancouver Time)

Topics include:
• Active Listening
• Zoom Tips
• Inclusive Language
• Additional strategies for effective workplace communication

If you attend our Conversation Circles and want to take the next step toward being job-ready and prepared to communicate professionally, this webinar is a great opportunity.

🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B7BaXxHFTbO6HCSiAQs4zQ #/registration

03/09/2026

🌸 Happy International Women’s Day! 🌸

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women everywhere — and especially the amazing women in our community.

For the past 15 years, a special Women’s English Conversation Circle has been meeting at the Maple Ridge Library every Thursday from 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM. Together, we practice English, share stories, support each other, and build friendships.

Every week we are inspired by the incredible women who have come to Canada to build a new life, find their voice, and create new connections. It is a space of learning, laughter, and mutual encouragement.

💬 This is a free drop-in group, and all women are welcome to join anytime to learn and practice together.

Here’s to the powerful, resilient women who make our community stronger every day. 💜