What: The 2020 edition of the Times Colonist Book Drive.
What it’s about: The book drive raises funds for school libraries and literacy work.
Why it’s different this year: For the pandemic edition, volunteers will be working in bubbles to limit contact. They will be wearing protective gear such as masks and gloves.
Where and when: A one-day drop-off, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Breakwater District at Ogden Point, off Dallas Road.
Think quality, not quantity: Because of the pandemic, we don’t want as many books as we received in the past. We cannot accept encyclopedias, textbooks, magazines (including National Geographics), medical books, outdated reference works, Reader’s Digest condensed books, or books in poor shape.
Where the books are going: Books will be sold directly to Russell Books, which can only handle a fraction of the volume of books that we would receive in a normal year.
There will be one entrance to the Times Colonist book drive, taking place at Ogden Point from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m today. It’s on Dallas Road at the downtown end of the Ogden Point property, across from the end of Niagara Street. Please approach from the downtown side so that you can make a right-hand turn into the property.
There will be no access to the book drop-off from the entrance at the other end of the property, the one close to the breakwater.
Once inside the property, volunteers in high-visibility vests will direct you where to go.
Please be patient. Ultimately, you’ll end up at Pier A.
Stay in your vehicle, with the windows rolled up. Just pop the trunk or unlock the doors and a volunteer will do the rest.
Remember: Only one volunteer at a time will unload your vehicle. Be patient.
After the volunteer has taken your books, you’ll be directed back to Dallas Road via the road by the breakwater.
If you are coming on foot or by bicycle, please use the same entrance, across from the end of Niagara Street, and look for the Times Colonist van.
Please do not leave books at Ogden Point before or after the actual drop-off.
