Come in and Cool Off at the Library
June 8, 2026
It’s that time again – the heat is on! High temperatures can pose serious health risks to those of all ages, and …
News and Stories
E&N Railway Land Grant Exhibit Opens In Nanaimo
June 1, 2026
New travelling exhibit about E&N Railway land grant opens in Nanaimo FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo — The Great Vancouver Island …
Vancouver Island Regional Library Celebrates 90 Years of Service in Coastal and Island Communities
May 30, 2026
Nanaimo, BC (May 30, 2026) – today, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) celebrates 90 years of service to communities across …
90th Anniversary Passport Program
May 29, 2026
VIRL 90th Anniversary Passport Program Explore. Collect. Celebrate. For 90 years, Vancouver Island Regional Library has connected communities across Vancouver …
Come celebrate with us…VIRL turns 90!
May 28, 2026
For 90 years, Vancouver Island Regional Library has connected communities across Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Central Coast through …
Library Elects Executive Committee
February 23, 2026
Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) Board elects Chair, Vice Chair, and Executive Committee FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo, BC – On Saturday, …
February 23 Circulation System Upgrade
February 17, 2026
The library’s circulation system will undergo an upgrade on February 23, 2026. Library users may experience a service disruption between …
TRC57 Speaker Series 2026
February 17, 2026
TRC57 Speaker Series 2026 calls on Public Institutions to Engage with Reconciliation as Ongoing Practice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Trusted, province-wide …
You Spoke, We Listened
February 16, 2026
We’re excited to share another improvement to your upgraded catalogue experience. As of February 3, a brand-new Account Portal …
Fast Facts about Vancouver Island Regional Library
- Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia.
- Holdings at Vancouver Island Regional Library number almost one million and include books, magazines, CD’s and DVD’s. Card holders can borrow materials from any of our 39 locations.
- In 2012 there were 2.6 million visits to our branches and our customers borrowed 4.6 million items.
- Vancouver Island Regional Library opened its doors in 1936 as the Vancouver Island Union Library. We were the second regional library in North America.
- With 39 branch libraries across the island, Vancouver Island Regional Library serves over 430,000 people on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast (Bella Coola)
