New Masset Library: Open Now!

Last updated: September 9, 2025

Construction is now complete for the new Masset Library and Haida Language Immersion Lab. Residents and visitors of Haida Gwaii have access to 3,870 square feet of space, state of the art technologies, and a new opening day collection designed to foster learning, connection, and cultural preservation.

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Thanks to our partners

“We are thrilled to invite the community to experience this valuable new space,” says Erin Hemmens, Chair of the VIRL Board of Trustees. “The Masset Library and Haida Language Immersion Lab will serve as an essential hub for learning, cultural preservation, and connection on Haida Gwaii. This has been a collaborative effort, and we are deeply grateful for the support from our partners, especially the Village of Masset, Old Massett Village Council, and X̱aad Kíl Née.”

The Masset Library provides 3,870 square feet designed to support learning, community engagement, and cultural preservation. Key features include:

• Architectural elements that honor Haida culture, such as timber beams, vertical cedar siding, and a roof pitch inspired by traditional designs.
• A dedicated Haida Language Immersion Lab, providing a space for language learners to practice, record, and share knowledge.
• A shared meeting room with videoconferencing technology for remote learning.
• A welcoming fireplace lounge, a vibrant children’s area, and comfortable reading and study spaces for all ages.

This project is made possible through a $4.6 million investment, funded by VIRL’s Capital Levies, a loan from the Municipal Finance Authority, and generous grants from the North Coast Regional District, Gwaii Trust Society, and Northern Development Initiatives Trust.

“The Village of Masset has eagerly anticipated this new library, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life,” says Sheri Disney, Mayor of the Village of Masset. “The library incorporates feedback from the community, ensuring it reflects our needs and values. We are proud to be part of this investment in our future.”

The Haida Language Immersion Lab, operated by X̱aad Kíl Née (Haida Language Office), a department of Old Massett Village Council, will serve as a crucial resource for preserving and revitalizing the X̱aad Kíl dialect of the Haida language, with fewer than ten fluent speakers remaining. The Lab will offer language learning materials, flexible spaces for cultural activities, and a welcoming environment for both local and external learners.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our partners in the creation of this facility,” says Jaasaljuus Yakgujanaas, Team Lead of X̱aad Kíl Née (Haida Language Office). “This Lab will be vital in ensuring the survival of the Haida language for generations to come.”

We want to thank all the staff who made this moment possible, alongside our valued partners: the Village of Masset, Old Massett Village Council, X̱aad Kíl Néé (Haida Language Office), the North Coast Regional District, Gwaii Trust Society, Northern Development Initiatives Trust, and CityWest. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

For more information, see our latest press release here: https://virl.bc.ca/vancouver-island-regional-library-and-x%cc%b1aad-kil-nee-celebrates-the-official-opening-of-the-new-masset-library-and-haida-language-immersion-lab/

The Haida Language Immersion Lab: A Vital Community Resource

The Haida Language Immersion Lab, operated by X̱aad Kíl Née (Haida Language Office), a department of Old Massett Village Council, will be a dedicated learning space within the new library. This innovative facility will provide resources, technology, and flexible infrastructure to support the preservation and growth of X̱aad Kíl—the G̱aw Tlagee dialect of the Haida language.

Key Features of the Haida Language Immersion Lab:

• A dedicated learning environment where language learners can practice comfortably.
• Space for X̱aad Kíl Née to develop, organize, and store language learning materials and curriculum.
• Flexible infrastructure supporting language learning, recording, and knowledge-sharing activities.
• A shared bookable meeting room with videoconferencing technology for remote learning and collaboration.
• A fully equipped kitchenette for gatherings and cultural activities.
• Separate and shared access to the library’s amenities, including public computers, printing services, and internet connectivity.

Why This Matters With fewer than ten first-language speakers of X̱aad Kíl remaining, the Immersion Lab is an essential space for preserving and revitalizing the language. The Lab will provide a hub for learners from Haida Gwaii and beyond to immerse themselves in X̱aad Kíl, ensuring its survival for future generations.

By integrating language preservation into the library, this project represents a new model for cultural collaboration and Indigenous language revitalization within public spaces. VIRL is honored to support this initiative and hopes it will inspire similar projects across Canada.

Our Partners: With Thanks

Thank you to our valued partners: the Village of Masset, Old Massett Village Council, X̱aad Kíl Néé (Haida Language Office), the North Coast Regional District, Gwaii Trust Society, Northern Development Initiatives Trust, and CityWest. We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. We also want to thank all the staff who made this moment possible. Your support has been instrumental in making this vision a reality.

Haw’aa!