The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) recently welcomed its newest, and largest, staff member. Tales the Whale is VIRL’s new mascot, a first for the organization.
Tales job is to make a splash at community and library events, promoting literacy and libraries in his wake.
“It’s a new way for families to interact with the library,” librarian Kristen Rumohr said, “and a friendly face for the Vancouver Island Regional Library.”
The smiling orca was christened Tales after an Island-wide naming contest. The contest generated over 850 submissions, from kids aged eight to 12, who gave their names to their local branches over the summer.
The winner was Cameron Michalko, a 12-year-old boy from Campbell River.
While Tales the Whale is yet to surface in Lake Cowichan, local librarians are hoping for him to make an appearance at this year’s Lake Days, which is set to take place from June 7 to 14.
In the meantime, our local VIRL branch is offering two ways for young children to enjoy the library.
The Parent-Child Mother Goose program is held every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon, and offers kids ages zero to two, and their parents, an hour of rhymes, songs and storytelling. The Family Storytime programs runs each Thursday from 11 to 11:30 a.m., and is open to kids ages zero to five.