Skip to content

Please note that all branches will be closed on Tuesday November 11 for Remembrance Day. As always, our online branch is open 24/7.

News and Stories

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 ›

2025 Statutory Holiday Hours

January 1, 2025

Please note that all VIRL branches are closed on statutory holidays. For regular branch hours visit https://virl.bc.ca/branches and select your …

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