Library Champions Project

Program History and Current Results

Since 2013, the Library Champions Project has been changing the lives of newcomers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley and across British Columbia. Thanks to our partners, including numerous libraries and community agencies, we’ve consistently exceeded our goals.

100+ newcomers are trained as Library Champions every year. In total, we’ve trained more than 2,750 newcomers. Collectively, Library Champions have reached out to over 135,000 fellow newcomers through one-on-one meetings and group sessions and have generated nearly three million impressions via social media.

But the impact of the Library Champions Project goes beyond numbers. Library Champions undergo transformative experiences, gaining skills, understanding different cultures, and forming lasting connections. They have become a vital component of the settlement continuum, guiding other newcomers to resources and services. Our program is more than just a service—it’s an essential part of the integration of thousands of newcomers to BC.

At present, the following libraries host cycles of the Library Champions Project:

Burnaby Public Library
Fraser Valley Regional Library
North Shore libraries (North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, West Vancouver Memorial Library)
Richmond Public Library
Surrey Libraries

To learn more about and to register for information sessions for upcoming cycles of the Library Champions Project, please visit the Library Champions Project Registration page.

The Library Champions Project is a great way to build confidence, make meaningful connections, and understand your community better.

The Library Champions Project is a supportive and eye-opening program that helps you discover everything the library can offer.

Program Numbers per Year

Over the years, participation and program demand has remained high, but social media impressions have increased markedly.

Community	Groups	Attendees of Info Session	LCs Enrolled	LCs Trained	LCs Completed Project	Newcommers Reached	Reps of Orgs Reached / Group Presentations	Social Media Impressions
2025-26	7	267	161	153	152	6,146	88	321,121
2024-25	23	612	338	305	295	12,772	1,842	213,536
2023-24	23	577	301	258	241	8,340	1,126	194,904
2022-23	20	377	247	208	198	6,051	982	989,816
2021-22	16	296	201	185	177	11,572	484	1,244,017
2020-21	16	263	195	184	175	6,079	406	14,135
2019-20	15	250	181	165	155	5,978	347	2,310
2018-19	15	197	184	175	170	8,303	510	3,617
2017-18	15	179	176	168	166	8,232	699	1,532
2016-17	15	230	195	189	178	9,683	684	7,993
2015-16	16	307	237	219	203	13,675	970	0
2014-15	15	334	207	204	193	13,062	843	0
2013-14	30	664	363	357	345	25,513	2,114	0
Grand Total	226	4,553	2,986	2,770	2,648	135,406	11,185	2,992,981

Numbers by Community Since Inception

Program participation continues to expand, reaching newcomers across the province.

Community	Groups	Attendees of Info Session	LCs Enrolled	LCs Trained	LCs Completed Project	Newcommers Reached	Reps of Orgs Reached	Social Media Impressions
Vancouver	43	993	589	547	518	32,043	2,435	1,513,400
Surrey	36	875	580	538	519	27,635	2,977	217,529
Burnaby & New Westminster	29	535	386	355	348	14,460	981	175,208
Richmond	27	493	341	323	301	15,485	1,042	319,646
Coquitlam & Port Coquitlam & Port Moody (Tri-Cities)	26	511	349	327	317	16,915	994	109,003
North Shore	24	377	285	268	250	14,768	873	305,914
Regional Groups	11	272	113	94	94	2,967	722	102,568
Langley	10	193	146	140	129	4,716	808	190,937
Maple Ridge & Port Coquitlam	8	141	103	94	91	2,952	111	41,969
Abbotsford & Mission	5	61	52	46	44	1,887	143	1,491
Greater Victoria	4	62	27	23	23	760	46	9,883
Central Okanagan (Kelowna)	1	17	6	6	6	200	11	3,795
Delta	1	15	6	6	6	517	41	0
Kootenay	1	8	3	3	3	1	1	638
Grand Total	226	4,553	2,986	2,770	2,648	135,406	11,185	2,992,981

2025 – 2026 Program Highlights

In 2025 – 2026, NewToBC offered 7 cycles of the program, recruiting 161 Library Champions (153 completed training, 152 completed the program). Champions originated from 35 countries, reflective of the diverse demographics of new immigrants to British Columbia.

These Champions reached out to 6,146 other newcomers and delivered 88 presentations to groups at a range of community agencies. They made more than hundreds of posts on various social media platforms, including ethnic social media platforms, promoting the project and library and community resources. These posts generated over 320,000 impressions across platforms. To download a PDF version of these highlights, click here: Library Champions Project Highlights.

What made me the happiest about being a Library Champion was helping people feel comfortable and confident using the library, especially when they were new or unsure.

The LCP helped me see public libraries in Canada as especially important spaces for newcomers. Libraries provide a wide range of support that people often need when they arrive in a new country and culture, such as practical information, training, and guidance.

Community	Groups	Attendees of Info Session	LCs Enrolled	LCs Trained	LCs Completed Project	Newcommers Reached	Reps of Orgs Reached	Social Media Impressions
Burnaby Public Library	1	50	29	29	29	862	16	23,311
Fraser Valley Regional Library (Maple Ridge & Port Coquitlam)	1	31	20	18	18	620	17	37,256
North Shore Libraries	1	32	20	18	18	785	12	186,945
Richmond Public Library	2	57	41	40	39	1,212	30	12,405
Surrey Libraries	2	97	51	48	48	2,667	13	61,204
Grand Total	7	267	161	153	152	6,146	88	321,121