The New Leaf Learning Centre is open year round (check our drop-in schedule for exact times.) It is 800 square feet of fun for any age learner. Besides many free books to take home, it has 3 workstation computers and several laptops to check out the e-world! It is situated at the back of the historic Alexander Mackenzie United Church, on the townsite of Bella Coola, right next to the Bella Coola Elementary School playground, and is wheel chair accessible.
The New Leaf Learning Centre is the home of Literacy Now. This initiative strives to bring together those working in the field of literacy to share information, expertise and the enthusiasm to improve the literacy services of the Bella Coola Valley.
It is also the home of the Community Adult and Family Literacy Program (CALP). Largely through trained volunteers, this program makes services available to those adults wishing to improve their skills in all of the areas known to improve quality of life; Reading, writing, numeracy, computer skills, oral , communication and problem solving. CALP is available to help with pre-ABE skills as well. There are many tutor resources and easy reading materials.
Computer Drop-In Centre - our knowledgeable staff provide one-on-one basic computer support and training.
Workshops - Throughout the year, we offer a variety of workshops (which may include Financial Literacy, Intro to Social Media, Digitizing Your Photos, Beginner Computer Skills, Using the i-family of devices, Online Marketing, and employment related topics.
Beginner Computer Classes - Please call us at 250-799-5822 for an up-to-date schedule.
Bright Red Bookshelves - We stock 7 red bookshelves around the valley with new and lightly used books (two post offices, Hagensborg Shop Easy, Bella Coola Co-op, NLLC, hospital, and the library). Take a book! Leave a book!
Family Literacy Fair - Annual literacy awareness and celebration event held in January. Many groups in the valley come together to celebrate literacy and to offer information, resources, and lots and lots of fun! Each year has a new theme, e.g., Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter. FREE Book Bucks are given out to spend in the school library. SAMSS students provide a hot meal (love their chilli!) and loads of baked goodies! There are games, interactive activities, entertainment, and lots more. The venue alternates each year between BCE school gym and Acwsalcta school gym. Check out our facebook page for dates and location for the current year.
Family Literacy Week 2022 - January 23rd to 30th. Each January, families, schools, libraries, and communities across BC celebrate Family Literacy Week. This year's theme is "Let's Connect! Care * Play * Listen". The focus is on how connecting supports our relationships, our ability to learn and our overall health.
Family Literacy Day - takes place every January 27th to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.
International Literacy Day - "Literacy is the remedy"; "Literacy is Life".
StoryTime - 12:30pm - 2pm, on the first Saturday of each month, we hold Storytime with lots of costumes to dress up, puzzles, games, storytime kits and books to be read! For children 3 - 9 years old and parents who wish to join in the fun.
Storytime was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to resume. Stay tuned and we'll post dates as soon as we're back on track and up and running again.
Tutor Training - No experience is required. Our professional staff offers excellent training and we have all kinds of recources to support our tutors. For more info., please call Janice at 250-799-5822.
Reading is a beautiful thing…read twenty minutes everyday!
