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 …
News and Stories
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 …
Thank You for Participating in the Future of Public Libraries
June 3, 2025
You Helped Shape the Future of Public Libraries in Canada This survey is now closed. As a proud member of …
Canada Post Strike service notice
May 23, 2025
May 23, 2025 Update – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has stated that instead of a strike, which they …
Virtual Author Talk with Lynda Gray June 11
May 20, 2025
Virtual Author Talk with Lynda Gray In Honor of Indigenous People’s Day Join us for a special event featuring acclaimed author …
Nanaimo Harbourfront HVAC Upgrade
February 14, 2025
Work continues on the Nanaimo Harbourfront branch heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. As a result, access to the …
Weather Update: Branch Delays and Closures
February 5, 2025
Updated February 5, 2025 at 8:30am Please be advised that all VIRL branches are open today, February 5, except for: …
Welcome to Encore!
December 9, 2024
A big welcome to all of our Vancouver Island Regional Library cardholders making the switch from the Bibliocommons catalogue to …
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)
