Nanaimo Harbourfront

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. 


Open for Sit Down services!  Please note our new hours.

  • Remember to bring your library card or library card number with you
  • For convenient access to self-checkout, please consider downloading the MyLibrary! app.

Computer Access!

  • 8 public computers are available
  • 15 minute and 1 hour time limits
  • Printing and scanning available

About the Branch

The land on which this library stands is the unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, whose relationships with the land continue to this day.

The Nanaimo library branch opened in 1936. However, the coal mining centre of what we now call Nanaimo enjoyed library services as early as the 1860s. In June, 1961 the library moved to a new building on Fitzwilliam Street and in 1997 the Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch moved to its current location on Diana Krall Plaza off Commercial Street in Downtown Nanaimo.

Learn more about our new Creativity Commons innovation space.

Sit Down Service

Welcome to our branch where you can safely and securely browse our collection, use our self-checkout machines or access full service at our circulation desk, and bring home some exciting new titles.

What you can expect

  • Full browsing collection
  • Self-checkout
  • Self-serve holds
  • Fine payment (cash allowed)
  • People counter/access control
  • Self-serve photocopying
  • 24 hour Bookdrop
  • Reference services

 How we’re keeping you and our staff safe

  • Ensuring proper physical distancing
  • Regular disinfecting
  • Clear signage and messaging that all customers are expected to follow
  • Providing equitable access to customers with different COVID-19 infection risk factors

Contact Information

  • Library Manager – Jonathon Bigelow
  • Customer Services Librarian – Adult Services – vacant
  • Customer Services Librarian – Adult Services – vacant
  • Customer Services Librarian – Adult Services – vacant
  • Customer Services Librarian – Children & Youth Services – Lee Losell
  • Customer Services Librarian – Children & Youth Services – Sheila Hammond-Todd