Gabriola Island

Following changes to Provincial Medical Health Officer orders, masks are no longer required when visiting the library, but you can wear one if you’d like.

• Ample free parking
• Free public WiFi, 24/7

Please note that our Meeting Space Guidelines are currently under review. Library programming in meeting rooms is continuing. Only room bookings by pre-existing VIRL partners will be honoured and accepted at this time. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions about Meeting Space bookings, please contact us at info@virl.bc.ca. 

Light Therapy Lamps are available on a first-come, first served basis. The lamps cannot be taken out of the library.

Find out more about the therapy lights.

How to use a light therapy lamp:

• Turn on the lamp and sit in front of it for 20-30 minutes each day at a distance of about 12 inches (10,000 Lux) or 1 hour at about 20 inches (5,000 Lux). For sensitive users, gradually increasing exposure is recommended.
• Your eyes need to be open and you must face the lamp. Do not look directly at the lamp. Adjust the angle of the lamp to suit your position.

Why is the library providing these lamps?

• Research by the Canadian Mental Health Association suggests that 2-3% of Canadians will experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in their lifetime. Another 15% will experience a milder form of SAD.
• Light Therapy Lamps can be prohibitively expensive. This service provides access to light therapy for all Gabriolans if they require it.

Light therapy should not be done without first consulting your doctor because there can be side-effects to this treatment for some people. Vancouver Island Regional Library is not liable for any health issues related to use of these lamps. See product information from Northern Light Technologies for more information.

• Customer Service Librarian II – Kendra Runnalls (Gabriola Island Branch)
• Library Manager – Anthony Martin