Alpha Library Learning Commons
a place to learn, discover, and connect
At the end of last quarter we had a grade 8 English class in the library to create book spine poetry. After searching the space for interesting book titles, they stacked the books to create a poem. This was a fun activity which allowed students to be creative and to get to know the books in the library better. Below are their creations.
Take a tour of Alpha’s Library Learning Commons in our newly created video for the 2021 Open House. As parents and prospective students can’t come check out the space in person, we wanted to ensure that they could see everything it has to offer from the comfort of their own homes. Enjoy!
Want to learn more about famous Black Canadians? Check out this cool interactive Periodic Table of Canadian Black History. Click the link to hover over the “elements” to learn more about each incredible person. The table highlights Black activists, artists, musicians, athletes, writers and more.
During Black History Month in February, take a look at this online exhibit that offers more than a glimpse into the history of Black pioneers in British Columbia, and how they helped shape our province. Put together by the BC Black History Awareness Society.
Do you love video games? Would you consider yourself a gamer? Are you looking for a novel to read, either for English class, or for fun? Well, you’re in luck! Powell’s Books, an awesome bookstore in Portland Oregon, has put together a list of “read-alikes” for popular video games. Basically, they have recommended a book for you to try if you like playing a certain game. I have copied and pasted the list below, or you can checkout Powell’s original post here.
The Last of Us –>Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Beyond: Two Souls –>The Girl With All the Gifts by M.R. Carey
Call of Duty: Black Ops (Zombies) –> World War Z by Max Brooks
Final Fantasy –> Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
Mass Effect –>Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Alice: Madness Returns –>Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
Halo –>Starship Troopers by Robert A Heinlein
Portal –> House Of Stairs by William Sleator
Mario Kart –> The Lovely Reckless by Kami Garcia
Dark Souls –>Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Life Is Strange –>We Are Okay by Nina Lacour
Stardew Valley –>How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Fable –> Young Elites by Marie Lu
Borderlands –>Velocity by Chris Wooding
Dishonored –>Airman by Eoin Colfer
The Oregon Trail –>Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
Elder Scrolls series –>The Naming by Alison Croggon
Bioshock –>Dark Life by Kat Falls
Fallout –>Razorland by Ann Aguirre
Assasin’s Creed –>The Way of Shadows Night by Brent Weeks
Dragonage –>Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
The Legend of Zelda –>Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Until Dawn –> Ten by Gretchen McNeil
Sonic –> Maximum Ride by James Patterson
Overwatch –> Bluescreen by Dan Wells
Uncharted –> Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Pokemon –>Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by JK Rowling, and Newt Scamander
Mario Party –>Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A friendly reminder as pandemic fatigue continues to set in, books are a great way to pass the time and to go on adventures in our minds when we can’t physically go anywhere! Stop by the library to check out up to 5 books. If you don’t know what to read, ask Ms. Haigh the Librarian and she would be happy to give you a recommendation (or two).
The Burnaby Public Library is excited to announce a new Teen Art Contest that will highlight the talents and concerns of the coming generation of youth in Burnaby. This year’s theme is “Perfect World”.
The lives of teenagers have been changed in many ways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All are coping in different ways and we believe that creating art is a wonderful way to express how we are feeling at this time. Whether you consider yourself a “doodler” or a “true artist”, we at the Burnaby Public Library invite you to submit artworks of your “Perfect World” for our Teen Art Contest.
This moment too is a historic time for the possibilities of hope. Whether you use the theme for escapism or to address issues you would like to see changed in our world, this winter break immerse yourself in a universe where the limitations of the ordinary are thrown out the window!
The winner and two runners up will receive gift certificates to DeSerres!
Contest closes Sunday, January 31 2021.
Every Friday at lunch the library is closed for the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club to meet. Come on by if you’re curious about what the GSA is or how you can be involved. We are always happy to have new members!
Students enter for the meeting from the external library door.
It’s officially Quarter 2 and we are finally fully back into the swing of things. YES! the library is open. Come on by to do some work or to check out a book. We are open during class time and until 3pm after school. You can also come by Monday, Tuesday or Thursday at lunch.
We just have some safety protocols in place during Covid-19. See below for more details.
Teen Summer Reading Club 2020!
Each summer Burnaby Public Library runs the Teen Summer Reading Club throughout June, July, and August. Teens entering grades 8 to 12 in September are eligible to participate.
In light of ongoing physical distancing, BPL has envisioned this year’s Teen Summer Reading Club as a fun virtual program, that engages readers of all ages with ideas for things to read or do. TSRC starts Friday, June 15!
Whatever your genre, read what you love, and don’t apologize for it!
1. Book picks and Bingo cards
Check out our weekly book picks and download our monthly Bingo cards to keep you busy all summer. These can be downloaded from our site and used to inspire your next read.?
2. Write Reviews!
Starting on June 15th, teens can participate in the Teen Summer Reading Club by writing reviews! This is a great opportunity for teens who love to write. Any book, movie, audiobook, graphic novel, or music album that is available at the library can be reviewed. Write three reviews and win a prize!
2. Art Poster Contest: Inclusion.
Create an eye-catching poster design to promote social justice and inclusion. Your poster should include a message that lets viewers know that the business they are entering is a safe space. We will select 3 posters to be printed and distributed at Burnaby Public Library and in various venues that choose to promote inclusion and acceptance.
Posters will be judged on original content and creativity, so show us what inclusion looks like to you!
Selected posters will win gift cards from Spotify, DeSerres Art Supplies, and Indigo books.
For more info on the Art Poster Contest look here.
Check out http://www.bpl.bc.ca/teen? for more information, or contact teenservices@bpl.bc.ca for questions.