Offer of space: Vancouver Public Library

[AWhetter]

I'm not offering this space but I wanted to highlight a community space available to us: the library!

What we need to know

• Who: Vancouver Public Library
• Contact info: Meeting room information and links to the request form
• Where: I know that the zig user group uses the small meetings rooms available at the Central Branch (https://www.vpl.ca/facilities/central-library-study-rooms). That would limit us to 8 people. I don't think that Central Library has a space that's suitable for us with more capacity, and so we would need to look at the meeting rooms available at one of the branches listed on the link above. The Mount Pleasant branch is the next closest to downtown.
• When: Anytime that isn't already booked. Also depends on the opening hours of the branch.

What you as the organiser needs to know

• A space that is welcome to all people of gender, nationality etc please see our code of conduct.
• Space for people to sit, usually 12 - 50 (depending how many people come).
• Easyish for people to get to (Vancouver and downtown, near public transit for example): Assuming the Mount Pleasant branch, Skytrain access requires a change to the 3, 8, or 19 bus, or a 15 minute walk. There's also 99 B-line access down broadway.
• Good wifi for presentations and demos and so people can join remotely.
• A big screen we can connect a laptop too for presentations and demos.
• Washroom access.

Additional context

I've had a quick look at community centres as well but unfortunately their meeting rooms all require payment.

[andymckay]

Thanks @AWhetter I do like meeting spaces where its easy to talk (not a loud cafe or bar) and is inclusive to all. We should bear this in mind, I've put the first one as a zoom call and we can plan out next steps.

[spuug]

VPL has been very good to VanLUG over the past year. Kitsilano branch (Broadway & MacDonald) have a basement room that can accommodate 50 to 60. Central branch has rooms for 15 or 30 on the 9th floor. The downsides are early evening hours (close at 7:30 pm summer, 8:30 pm winter), and competition with other groups makes booking for a long-term regular schedule difficult.
Also consider the Burnaby Public Library. The Pritie branch (beside Metrotown) have two rooms that can accommodate about 50 each.