Take a look, it’s in a book
Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library prep for next chapter of annual book sale
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If you see an arch of colours in the sky over St. James this weekend, it just might be a reading rainbow. There won’t be a pot of gold at the end of it, but there will be thousands of quality used books available.
The Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library is gearing up for its annual book sale, which takes place Saturday and Sunday at the St. James Civic Centre. The charitable organization will donate all proceeds to the Winnipeg Public Library.
There will be more than 600 boxes filled with used books, DVDs, CDs and LPs for sale.

“There are many people who leave with a treasure in their hands,” says Laurie Sodomlak, chair of the book sale committee.
Friends president Dominique Wightman has fond memories of opening the doors at the start of last year’s sale — and finding a line of people wrapped around the parking lot.
“It was endless and it didn’t ever get any shorter because whenever 10 or 15 people went in, 10 or 15 people joined the end of the line,” he recalls.
If anyone got impatient, they didn’t show it.
“I was happy to see that everyone was content to wait,” Wightman says. “There wasn’t a sense of consternation; people were happy to be there. It was encouraging to see how many people came out from the community.”
Incorporated at the beginning of 1992, the Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library is a working board composed of up to 15 directors. The group raises money through member fees, donations and corporate support.
In the last 25 years, the group has contributed more than $391,000 to support special projects and programs at the city’s 20 library branches.
Last year, the group donated $20,000 to support the writer-in-residence program, spring break family programming, the purchase of a painting for the children’s area of the Charleswood branch, the purchase of a table for the Cornish Library in Armstrong Point and more.
A retired educator and lifelong library patron, Sodomlak started volunteering at the group’s events a dozen years ago and joined the board in 2023.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
Volunteer Manitoba needs people to join its board of directors. Members help guide the organization’s strategic direction, support its mission and make a meaningful impact on the non-profit sector. People with diverse backgrounds, experiences and skill sets are needed. Preference will be given to applicants who self-identify as Indigenous — or have experience working with Indigenous community members or organizations, experience in finance or accounting, a legal background or previous board experience. Successful candidates must prepare for and help with monthly board meetings and support additional committee work as required. For more information, or to apply, email executive director Ashley Seymour at ashley.seymour@volunteermanitoba.ca by April 30.
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra needs people from diverse backgrounds with experience in human resources, information technology, accounting, sponsorships, social media or fundraising to join its board of directors. Volunteers must be passionate about the arts, willing to learn and share ideas, strong communicators and eager to participate. Send a brief letter describing your background and/or a resumé, and state why you would like to join the board, to manager@winnipegjazzorchestra.com by April 30.
Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) is seeking a Khmer-speaking volunteer to support meetings between a parent, student, teacher and NEEDS staff members at École Assiniboine School. Interpretation will allow the teacher to share updates on the student’s progress and adapted learning plan with their parents. NEEDS staff will be present at all times to supervise and lead the meeting. The volunteer must be fluent in Khmer and have an understanding of immigrant and refugee experience. Apply at volunteers@needsinc.ca or 204-940-1246 by April 30.
Folklorama is seeking tour guides. Outgoing people who enjoy interacting with groups and have some experience with Folklorama, either from attending or volunteer experience, are needed. The guides host bus tours from around Winnipeg, Manitoba and North America as they travel to pavilions. Training sessions in June will give volunteers the opportunity to learn about Folklorama’s policies and procedures, learn how to host groups, and meet other guides. Apply online at wfp.to/WMK by June 1.
Nine Circles Community Health Centre seeks food bank volunteers to set up the multi-purpose room, unload the Harvest Manitoba truck and prepare food as directed by staff members. Volunteers will offer friendly, confidential help, distribute food and clean up afterward. The role involves standing for long periods and might require heavy lifting, with possible accommodations. This opportunity is open to individuals and groups, including those fulfilling community service or school-credit requirements. Volunteers must be available for a four-hour shift one Thursday a month. Bilingual and multilingual candidates, as well as those with support persons, are welcome to apply. Apply at wfp.to/WMb.
Heritage Winnipeg needs ambassadors and tour guides for Doors Open Winnipeg. Volunteer shifts take place throughout the city between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 24 and May 25 and are usually three to four hours in length. Ambassadors greet visitors, maintain a visitor count and help distribute information. Tour guides must be outgoing, familiar with the building’s history (provided) and comfortable speaking with the public. Apply at wfp.to/WnI or 204-942-2663 by May 20.
MS Canada needs volunteers for the annual Winnipeg MS Walk at Kildonan Park on May 25. The walk is a motivational community event that brings people affected by multiple sclerosis and those passionate about finding a cure together, raising funds for research and support services. Whether it’s assisting with site setup, participant check-in, food and beverage areas, or cheering walkers at the start/finish line, there’s a role for everyone. Register at wfp.to/Wnx by May 23 or email karyn.heidrick@mscanada.ca for more information.
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority community health and corporate programs needs volunteers ages 14 to 25 for the Mental Health and Addictions Youth Advisory Council. Meetings will be held one evening every two months, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 pm. There is no minimum or maximum time commitment. People with a passion for and commitment to improving mental health and addictions services are encouraged to apply at wfp.to/WnF by June 30.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
“I think our library system has done an amazing job at supporting the community with such a variety of programming,” she says. “I just feel I’m part of something I really believe in.”
Wightman, who works as a lawyer, quotes the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie when talking about the importance of the library: “There is not such a cradle of democracy on earth as the free public library.”
He enjoys the camaraderie that directors share.
“There’s a sense of community because everyone on the board has a shared sense of supporting our public libraries,” he says.
Evidence of the group’s work can be found throughout the branches, according to one employee.
“They put a lot of effort into what they do and a lot of heart because they truly believe in the library system, and they believe in literacy and they believe in everything the library stands for,” says Kathleen Williams, administrative co-ordinator of adult programming and outreach. “We appreciate them a lot.”
The book sale runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags.
For more information, visit friendswpl.ca.
If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.

Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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