Cowichan (Duncan)

The Cowichan library has a long and storied history. It began as a lending library dating back to the late 1800’s. During the Second World War, with a growing population in Duncan, the library moved to the federal customs building. In 1947 a plebiscite was held and Duncan joined what was then called the Vancouver Island Union Library system and the branch opened, for a short time, in the Agricultural Hall. In subsequent years, it moved to the old fire hall and various other locations. In 2004, the library branch moved to its current location in the Cowichan Community Centre.

Please note that our Meeting Space Guidelines are currently under review. Library programming in meeting rooms is continuing. Only room bookings by pre-existing VIRL partners will be honoured and accepted at this time. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions about Meeting Space bookings, please contact us at info@virl.bc.ca. 

Book a Room

Branch Features
  • Fourteen public access computers with internet access. Available for one-hour session per day.  Please be aware that computers shut down 15 minutes before closing.
  • Free public WiFi
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Research and basic computing help
  • Printing and Photocopier. Black and white printing and photocopying costs 25 cents/page. No scanning or fax.
  • Daily newspapers
  • World Languages collection (Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese, Russian, Ukrainian)
  • On BC Transit route
  • Simon Charlie totem pole
  • Bookable Meeting Room
  • Collection size of almost 60,000 items
  • Free Community Seed Library

Branch Services

Free Programs for Adults and Children

Bookdrop

  • Open when the library is closed otherwise please return all material inside the branch to our 2 book drop stations just inside the door.
  • The library and library bookdrop are closed on all statutory holidays.

Request a customized book bundle

Email us at cowichan@virl.bc.ca and we will make up a bundle of items based on your interests.  Please let us know how many, for what age, and what type of items (books (hardcover, softcover, large-print), dvds, music or audiobook cds, magazines) you would like.  It is very helpful to know some titles you have liked in the past and what genres/subjects/authors/etc you absolutely do not like!  When your bundle is ready to pick up we will send you an email.

Contact Information

cowichan@virl.bc.ca   or   250 746 7661

  • Library Manager – Annette
  • Children & Youth Services Librarian – Nariel
  • Adult Librarian – Dalia