Island Voices Return
November 13, 2025
Island Voices return: Vancouver Island Regional Library excited to partner with CBC to bring live broadcast to Cowichan FOR IMMEDIATE …
News and Stories
Library Announces Appointment of Executive Director
November 3, 2025
Vancouver Island Regional Library Announces Appointment of Executive Director Eileen Gillette Nanaimo, BC – The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) …
Official Opening of the New Masset Library
August 21, 2025
Vancouver Island Regional Library and X̱aad Kíl Née Celebrates the Official Opening of the New Masset Library and Haida Language …
Harbourfront Welcomes CBC’s Nahlah Ayed
April 10, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo Harbourfront Library Welcomes CBC’s Nahlah Ayed for Sold-Out National Ideas Series Event Nanaimo, BC (April 10, …
VIRL Hosts Love in a Dangerous Time
March 7, 2025
VIRL Hosts Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge Pop-Up Exhibition FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo, BC – Vancouver Island …
Learning with Syeyutsus kicks off January 23, 2025
January 8, 2025
Learning with Syeyutsus, the popular Indigenous Learning series in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to …
Top 10 of 2024 from Vancouver Island Regional Library
December 24, 2024
What made this year’s list of top 10 titles to read, watch and listen? FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo, BC (December …
Island Health Supports Washroom Sensors For Library
June 18, 2024
Simple, safe, effective: Island Health grant supports washroom sensor project for Vancouver Island libraries FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo, BC (June …
PhotoVoice Exhibit Celebrates Indigenous Youth
May 16, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo, BC — The Kw’umut Lelum Foundation and Vancouver Island Regional Library invites the public to experience …
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)
