24/7 WiFi available NOW
March 26, 2020
Stay connected better than ever outside any one of VIRL’s 39 branches. VIRL now offers 24/7 WiFi outside any of …
News and Stories
Stay in touch
March 25, 2020
While we all stay home to keep our families and communities safe, your library is here to support you! We’ve …
All VIRL branches closed in response to COVID-19
March 17, 2020
Latest update: March 18, 2020 (10:45 AM PST): VIRL Update on staffing in response to COVID-19 As the COVID-19 situation …
VIRL closing all branches end of day March 16 in response to COVID-19
March 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, March 16, 2020, Vancouver Island, BC – As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve and in …
New Art Displays at Nanaimo’s Creativity Commons
March 9, 2020
Nanaimo is home to a vibrant community of artists and creators. The Creativity Commons at the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch of …
A new library for Woss
March 9, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Planning is underway on a new library for the community of Woss. Part of Vancouver Island Regional …
Chemainus library Grand Opening celebrations!
February 25, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chemainus, BC – Celebrate the Grand Opening of the brand new Chemainus library! On Saturday, March 7, …
Meeting space addition to library on Gabriola Island
February 21, 2020
Gabriola Island, BC – The Gabriola Island branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) will be increasing its footprint to add …
See What’s Happening!
January 31, 2020
“Roll camera. Sound. Action!” A few weeks ago the Creativity Commons Branch was bustling with “action” as a Film Makers …
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)
