Inaugural Issue of Sea & Cedar Magazine Launches
August 16, 2021
Inaugural Issue of Sea & Cedar Magazine Launches at Vancouver Island Regional Library, Showcasing Local Artists and Writers Nanaimo, BC …
News and Stories
Port Hardy Branch Expanded Hours
August 9, 2021
Port Hardy Community to Enjoy Library’s Expanded Hours, Storytime, and More Port Hardy, BC – The Port Hardy branch of Vancouver …
Vancouver Island Regional Library announces new Executive Director
July 8, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nanaimo, BC – Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) has hired a new Executive Director. Ben Hyman is …
Reproduction of the Witness Blanket on display at Harbourfront branch in downtown Nanaimo
July 2, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, July 2, 2021, Nanaimo, BC – A reproduction of the Witness Blanket, a powerful art installation …
A new podcast for bookish people launches
June 17, 2021
Vancouver Island, BC – Summer road trip season is here and thanks to a new podcast from staff at Vancouver …
A summer of reading and adventure for kids and teens
June 16, 2021
Vancouver Island, BC – Summer’s just around the corner and that means another exciting season of Summer Reading Club (SRC) …
VIRL Connects Initiative Wins American Library Association Award
June 14, 2021
Vancouver Island, BC – For the second year in a row, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) has been awarded an …
National Indigenous History Month
June 4, 2021
National Indigenous History Month at Vancouver Island Regional Library Friday, June 4, 2021, Vancouver Island, BC – There’s a lot …
Seed Library at Nanaimo library expands access to local agriculture
April 28, 2021
Spring is here and that means it’s time to hit the garden. The Creativity Commons branch — located on the …
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)
