In a further attempt to foster an awareness and appreciation of literature in the city, the Vancouver Public Library has added a new set of authors to its Literary Landmarks project.
Literary Landmarks, which kicked off in March 2015, is a collaboration of the library, BC BookWorld and the VPL Foundation. The library describes the project as an “intersection of notable authors, their compelling stories and the unique geography of our communities.”
The first set of plaques around the city featured authors such as Margaret Atwood, Bud Osborn and Malcolm Lowry. As of July 2016, there are 27 Literary Landmark plaques installed on lampposts across Vancouver, each marking the ties of notable authors to different locations in the city.
Sandra Singh, chief librarian at the VPL, said the idea to link sites around the city to famous writers was conceived during a conversation library management had with the publisher of BC BookWorld Alan Twigg and noted educator Yosef Wosk.
“We were talking about literary intervention in public spaces where people could encounter literature. Out of those discussions came the idea of little landmarks, and we connected with the staff over at cultural services at the City of Vancouver who came up with the idea of the plaques,” Singh said.
Twigg curated the collection of landmarks and wrote the text on the plaques. The colourful panels feature a photo of the writer and a brief description of their works and connection to that particular place.
The locations are also featured on an interactive map on the library’s website that provides further details on authors and links to their works.
Nobel prize-winning author Alice Munro is one of the writers featured in the project this year. The plaque commemorating her has been installed at the VPL's Kitsilano branch on the city's West Side where Munro worked prior to her worldwide literary acclaim.
A plaque at Vancouver City Hall celebrates author Chuck Davis' relationship with the city. Davis, a successful broadcaster and an expert on Vancouver’s history, devoted his life to sharing fascinating stories about the city until his death in 2010.
Singh said the “cost-effective project” is a small but significant way to honour authors who have contributed to the city’s culture.
“One of our mails goals was to highlight in community spaces the remarkable writers that have helped create the stories of Vancouver,” she said.
Other authors featured this year include Margaret Laurence, Emily Carr, Mona Fertig, Gary Geddes, Pauline Johnson, J. S. Matthews, Stan Persky and Michael Turner.
“We have an incredibly rich and diverse literary heritage in Vancouver and we wanted to highlight that and introduce people to authors in a different way,” Singh said.
The library is open to suggestions for writers for future Literary Landmarks.
The VPL will be adding 10 landmarks to the project in 2017.
