Skip to content

Canada Post strike action will affect some services at the Library, read more...

News and Stories

Island Voices Return

November 13, 2025

Island Voices return: Vancouver Island Regional Library excited to partner with CBC to bring live broadcast to Cowichan  FOR IMMEDIATE …

Read More ›

Canada Post Strike

October 23, 2025

Library users may experience delays during the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) work stoppage. This includes delays to the …

Read More ›

It’s October Library Month!

October 3, 2025

Welcome to Vancouver Island Regional Library’s October I <3 Library Month! This October, Fall into everything that makes libraries incredible—especially …

Read More ›

Updated Branch Hours

September 21, 2025

Updates to Our Library Hours – Here’s What You Need to Know Hey VIRL community! We wanted to let you …

Read More ›

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)

More About the Library