Introducing the Read Local BC eBookshelf: A Collection of BC-Published eBooks
Vancouver, BC – June 5, 2025
The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia (Books BC), in partnership with the BC Libraries Coop, is excited to announce the launch of the Read Local BC eBookshelf. Featuring a wide range of BC-published titles, this collection includes books that are either about BC, set in BC, or written by a BC author. 17 BC publishers are participating in the collection so far and have submitted a combined 652 titles, with more ebooks to be added each season. Curated by BC librarians, the Read Local BC eBookshelf features a variety of categories including: Award Winning & Nominated Books, Travel Beautiful BC, Read Local Children’s & YA Books, and Read Local Non-Fiction, The Nature of BC and more.
Read Local BC eBookshelf Quick Facts:
- Patrons can now browse hundreds of ebooks within the Read Local BC guide. Titles will be added regularly across a range of genres. Find an example of the collection here.
- Available via the Libby app: Library users can access the collection by downloading the Libby app on their preferred device and selecting your local library. Learn how to get started with Libby here.
- Participating BC Libraries: All 71 BC Public Libraries are participating in the program reaching 5.5 million British Columbians.
- Giveaway: To help celebrate the launch of the eBookshelf, Read Local BC has partnered with OverDrive to give one lucky winner a new Galaxy Tab A7 Lite! The contest is open June 9 – June 20, 2025 and can be entered at: instagram.com/readlocalbc. The winner will be announced by June 23, 2025.
- Launch event: The Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport will join Books BC and the BC Libraries Cooperative at The Burnaby Public Library, McGill Branch on June 19th to celebrate the launch of the collection. BC authors Wayde Compton and Candie Tanaka will be reading from their award-winning books and Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert will announce the launch of this BC government- supported initiative. Members of the media are welcome to attend. Please register for the launch event here.
“BC is home to amazing authors and publishers, and now it’s easier than ever to find their stories. The new Read Local BC eBookshelf allows people across the province to explore an incredible range of local books that reflect our communities, histories, and imaginations. As an avid reader, I am so excited to see this fantastic tool launched as it shines a spotlight on our local publishers, authors, and illustrators. It will help more BC stories get discovered and shared by audiences of all ages.”
– Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport
“At a time when readers are eager to connect with made-in-BC books, we are so excited to be launching this collection. Library patrons across the province can now easily browse the Read Local BC eBookshelf collection and find titles that explore topics related to their communities and interests.”
– Matea Kulić, Executive Director, Books BC
“While we have always housed a large collection of BC published ebooks, locating these items was challenging for library users due to the absence of a specific search option for BC Publishers. The Read Local BC eBookshelf provides users with an easy to find, curated list of BC published content.”
– Tami Setala, Licensing & Business Development Manager, BC Libraries Cooperative
The Read Local BC eBookshelf includes award-winning books, such as:
- Skid Dogs, Emelia Symington-Fedy – Douglas & McIntyre
- Baby Drag Queen, C.A. Tanaka – Orca Book Publishers
- The Outer Harbour, Wayde Compton – Arsenal Pulp Press
Discover BC ebooks Through Your Local Library Via the Read Local BC eBookshelf.
To learn more about the Read Local BC eBookshelf, visit: https://www.readlocalbc.ca/ebookshelf/
The Read Local BC eBookshelf is supported by the Province of British Columbia. In April of 2023 the Province committed $600,000 over three years for the publishing industry to address immediate supply-chain challenges and provide additional support for a sustainable future. A portion of the fund has been earmarked for supporting emerging opportunities to highlight BC books.
About the Association of Book Publishers of BC
The Association of Book Publishers of BC (Books BC) is a provincial association of BC owned and controlled book publishing companies. Books BC works to support the long-term health and success of the Canadian-owned book industry in British Columbia. Learn more at: books.bc.ca
About the BC Libraries Cooperative
The BC Libraries Cooperative (BCLC) is a community service cooperative with over 200 Canadian member organizations, specializing in open-source technology, accessible publishing for people with print disabilities, and library advocacy. The BCLC coordinates a large collection of ebooks and audiobooks available to over 1.1 million British Columbians through 62 of BC’s 71 public libraries. Learn more at: bc.libraries.coop
Media Contact:
Matea Kulić
Executive Director, Books BC
matea@books.bc.ca