News and Stories

For 90 years, Vancouver Island Regional Library has connected communities across Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and the Central Coast through stories, learning, discovery, and shared experiences. Since 1936, VIRL has grown from six small branches into one of British Columbia’s largest and most geographically diverse public library systems — and now it’s time to celebrate.

Join us throughout the summer and during BC Library Month as we mark this milestone with branch celebrations, community guest books, shared memories, special activities, historic photos, prizes, and the VIRL 90th Anniversary Passport Program.

Celebrate at Your Local Branch

Beginning May 30, all 39 VIRL branches will kick off our 90th anniversary celebrations with local events and community activities.
Visitors can enjoy refreshments, family-friendly activities, displays, community gathering spaces, children’s activities, staff features, and more throughout the day. Every branch celebration will reflect the unique spirit of its community while celebrating the shared connections that bring the VIRL system together.
Guest books will also be available in every branch, inviting community members to share favourite memories, stories, and reflections about their local library.

Explore the VIRL Passport Program

Get ready to explore VIRL like never before. Beginning May 30, library users of all ages can pick up a VIRL 90th Anniversary Passport at any participating branch and collect unique stamps while visiting libraries across the region. The passport program celebrates the incredible geography and diversity of the VIRL service area, spanning more than 42,000 square kilometres of islands, forests, inlets, and coastal communities.

How It Works

• Pick up a passport at any VIRL branch
• Visit participating branches across the system
• Collect unique branch stamps
• Enter to win regional and system-wide prizes

No library card, purchase, or checkout is required to participate.

• Passport launch: May 30, 2026
• Contest deadline: October 31, 2026
• Prize draws: November 2026

More info…

Share Your VIRL Story

For generations, VIRL has been part of everyday life in communities across the region — and we want to hear your story.
Throughout the anniversary celebration, community members are invited to share memories, reflections, photographs, favourite library moments, and stories connected to VIRL branches and programs.

Whether it’s your first library card, a favourite childhood book, Storytime memories, community events, research projects, or a meaningful connection made at the library, your story is part of VIRL’s history.
Historic photos, memories, and community stories may also be featured throughout the anniversary year.

Discover 90 Years of Community Connection

Founded in 1936 with just six branches and a collection of 12,648 books, VIRL has grown into one of British Columbia’s oldest shared service providers and one of Canada’s most geographically unique library systems.

Over the decades, VIRL’s story has included bookmobiles travelling coastal roads, materials delivered to remote communities, and generations of people finding connection, opportunity, creativity, and belonging through their libraries.

Today, VIRL continues to open minds to new perspectives while supporting literacy, learning, culture, and community across urban, rural, and remote communities alike.

Join the Celebration

From May through October, anniversary activities will continue across the VIRL system with special programs, displays, contests, staff features, local events, and community celebrations.

Whether you’re visiting your local branch, exploring the passport program, sharing memories, or discovering VIRL history, we invite you to celebrate 90 years of stories, connection, and community with us.