Markham Public Library supports Chinese community during COVID-19

Different programs offered in Mandarin and Cantonese

Yorkregion.com
October 5, 2020

Markham Public Library has launched a number of Mandarin and Cantonese services and programs to serve the city’s large Chinese population.

“We want to support the Chinese community especially during these unprecedented times,” said Karen Yang, publicity and social media marketing manager at MPL.

Residents in York Region, not only in Markham, could apply for free membership and then get access to thousands of digital and physical materials in Chinese for reading, listening and watching.

Many programs in MPL have been moved online since the pandemic; for some people, it seems more convenient than before, because the whole digital collection is available to customers 24/7 from the comfort of their homes. People can also place a hold online and arrange for a curbside pickup at four locations. 

Some digital collections such as OverDrive and Hoopla, where you can get eBooks, audio books and movies in Chinese, are very popular.

“A lot of people find books like A Brief History of Anti Epidemic and A Handbook of COVID-19 Pneumonia Control and Prevention quite useful and interesting during the pandemic,” Yang said. “Our digital collection usage has increased over 50% this year.”

Other collections like PressReader and QiKan give customers access to thousands of newspapers and magazines from around the globe including popular Chinese newspapers. Users can choose to view in traditional or simple characters.

This past summer and the new school year have been challenging for both students and parents. In addition to 1v1 online tutoring, MPL has launched many extracurricular activities. Among the programs, Mandarin Storytime and Cantonese Book for Kids received lots of positive feedback.

“Since March, we've had over 10,444 participants of our virtual Cantonese Songs & Stories program, 6,034 participants in all the Mandarin programs,” Yang explained.

In Mandarin Storytime, for example, an instructor will share stories, songs and rhymes to support early literacy practices of reading, singing, talking, writing, and playing. Although this program is offered in Mandarin, speakers of all languages are welcome to attend.

“We hope everyone can benefit from the library, whether you are a VISA student struggling to go back to campus, an entrepreneur working on the next big thing, or even an older adult looking to improve your English, MPL is here for you,” Yang said.

For newcomers, Yang recommends a program called Reconnecting with Your Profession in Canada. “It is a free Zoom session, which will be hold on Oct.28. You can learn about job search strategies, employment programs, mentoring and bridging programs and credential assessment and accreditation services, etc.”

For more information, please visit https://markhampubliclibrary.ca.