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 …
News and Stories
Library Announces Appointment of Executive Director
November 3, 2025
Vancouver Island Regional Library Announces Appointment of Executive Director Eileen Gillette Nanaimo, BC – The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) …
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 …
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 …
Quadra Island Library Expansion
September 29, 2025
What You Need to Know We are thrilled to share that the Quadra Island Library is expanding! This exciting project …
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 …
Official Opening of the New Masset Library
August 21, 2025
Vancouver Island Regional Library and X̱aad Kíl Née Celebrates the Official Opening of the New Masset Library and Haida Language …
Ask us about our upgraded catalogue
July 30, 2025
Exciting news! Our catalogue upgrade is going to make exploring VIRL’s vast collection of books, audiobooks, eBooks, and more easier …
A Summer of Reading for All Ages!
June 23, 2025
Summer of Reading at Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) Get ready to colour your summer with reading! Our summer reading …
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)
