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Welcome to Vancouver Island Regional Library

Home / Read, Watch, Listen / Audience / Seniors

Audience

  • Newcomers, Immigrants & Refugees
  • Adults
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Seniors
  • Francais & World
  • Indigenous Interest

Watch Documentaries on Senior's Health and other topics

Start Streaming Now!

Like to Listen?

Check out our Audiobook Collection

Learning Computers? No Problem!

Google Nexus tablet for seniors : get started quickly with this user friendly tablet. Cover
Google Nexus tablet…
Protect, backup and clean your PC for SENIORS : stay safe when using the internet and email and keep your PC in good condition! Cover
Protect, backup and…
Windows 10 for seniors for dummies Cover
Windows 10 for…
Kindle Fire HDX for seniors : step-by-step instructions to work with the Kindle Fire HDX tablet. Cover
Kindle Fire HDX…
Photo and video editing for seniors : create fantastic movie and photo projects Cover
Photo and video…
Facebook for seniors quicksteps Cover
Facebook for seniors…
Windows 10 for seniors : get started with Windows 10. Cover
Windows 10 for…
My Windows 8.1 computer for seniors Cover
My Windows 8.1…
AARP tablets [large print] : tech to connect Cover
AARP tablets [large…
Windows 7 for seniors : for everyone who wants to learn to use the computer at a later age Cover
Windows 7 for…
Windows Live Essentials for seniors : get acquainted with free Windows Live Essentials applications Cover
Windows Live Essentials…
E-mail for beginners Cover
E-mail for beginners
Microsoft Excel for beginners Cover
Microsoft Excel for…
Facebook & Twitter for seniors for dummies Cover
Facebook & Twitter…
OS X Mavericks in easy steps Cover
OS X Mavericks…
Protect, clean up and speed up your computer for seniors : use the protection, clean up and optimization tools available in Windows Cover
Protect, clean up…
Windows 10 for seniors for the beginning computer user : get started with Windows 10. Cover
Windows 10 for…
Computers for seniors for dummies Cover
Computers for seniors…
Facebook & Twitter for seniors for dummies [large print] Cover
Facebook & Twitter…
Is this thing on? : a friendly guide to everything digital for newbies, technophobes, and the kicking & screaming Cover
Is this thing…

Need Tech Help?

Tutorials at your library are available now!

What's Happening

Summer Reading Club Craft
  • Start: Saturday, August 20
  • Time: All day
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children, Families, Tweens
  • Branch: Woss
In-Library Scavenger Hunts
  • Start: Saturday, August 20
  • Time: All day
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children, Families
  • Branch: Campbell River
Lego Kids
LEGO® Days
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time:
    10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children
  • Branch: Bella Coola
Storytime at the Port Hardy Library
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time:
    10:00 am - 10:30 am
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children, Everyone, Families
  • Branch: Port Hardy
Stories in the Market
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time:
    10:00 am - 11:00 am
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children, Families
  • Branch: Cowichan (Duncan)
Fun With Magnets STEAM Day
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Audience: Children, Families, Tweens
  • Branch: Port McNeill
Orcafest Book Sale
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Audience: Everyone
  • Branch: Port McNeill
Preschool Storytime (Chemainus)
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time:
    11:00 am - 11:30 am
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children, Families
  • Branch: Chemainus
Summer Crafts
  • Date: Saturday, August 20
  • Time:
    11:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Recurring event
  • Audience: Children, Families
  • Branch: Sooke
Search Databases

15 result(s) found.

Ancestry Library Edition

Notice: Home access to Ancestry Library Edition ended December 31, 2021. It is now available in the library only.

Genealogy collection including census, vital, church, court, and immigration records from the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom.

Access: Available in branch on library computers or WiFi

Launch TutorialGuide

BC Historical Newspapers

Great for students, researchers, and genealogists, Proquest BC Historical Newspapers includes:
The Vancouver Sun (1912–2010)
The Times–Colonist (1884–2010)
The Province (1894–2010)
Access: Available to anyone in BC and Yukon, no library card required

Launch

CELA

CELA is the Centre for Equitable Library Access, which provides access to a collection of over 700,000 books, magazines, newspapers in a choice of accessible formats for people with a print disability. Print disabilities include learning, physical and visual disabilities.

  • Enjoy a full range of subjects, genres, classics and award winners
  • Stay up to date with 50 newspapers and 150 magazines
  • Choose your preferred format: audio, e-text or braille.
  • Download books or receive home delivery by mail

Sign up for CELA service with your public library card, or contact your VIRL branch for assistance.

CELA logo
Launch CELA Help

Clicklaw

Clicklaw provides legal information, education and help for British Columbians. Clicklaw is operated by Courthouse Libraries BC.
Access: Available to anyone anywhere

Launch Clicklaw Help

Creativebug

Creativebug is an art and craft education resource. There are thousands of online video classes taught by leading instructors. Categories include:

  • Art + Design
  • Crochet
  • Food + Home
  • Kids
  • Knitting
  • Jewelry
  • Quilting
  • Sewing

Access online or via mobile app. Have a look at this introductory video by Creativebug to learn more.

Please note that access to Creativebug requires library customers to provide first and last name and email address to authenticate use. For more information, contact info@virl.bc.ca or review Creativebug’s Privacy Policy here.

Launch TutorialCreativebug Help
View on Google Play View on the App Store

Kanopy

Kanopy is a video streaming platform for libraries with one of the largest and most unique collections in the world. It features more than 26,000 movies, documentaries, and indie and foreign films from hundreds of producers, including The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, Kino Lorber, PBS and thousands of independent filmmakers. Browse by subjects to explore and expand your interests.

Cap:

Each library member receives ten checkouts (play credits) and two Great Courses per month. Kanopy Kids requires no play credits.
Access: Available anywhere to VIRL Resident Cardholders

Launch Tutorial
View on Google Play View on the App Store

KnowBC

KnowBC is the online portal for Harbour Publishing, an independent publisher based on the Sunshine Coast that focuses on British Columbian coastal history and culture. KnowBC features the Encyclopedia of British Columbia, along with essential publications and natural history field guides for the Pacific Northwest Coast, including

  • The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names
  • Far West: The Story of British Columbia, a provincial history for younger readers
  • A Field Guide to Birds of the Pacific Northwest
  • A Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants of Canada
  • A Field Guide to Shells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest
  • Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A Photographic Encyclopedia of Invertebrates, Seaweeds and Selected Fishes
  • Raincoast Chronicles 20: Lilies and Fireweed: Frontier Women of British Columbia
Launch

Knowledge Network

Knowledge Network, is a Canadian publicly funded educational cable television network serving the province of British Columbia. The station supports lifelong learning for children and adults by providing quality, commercial-free programming through its broadcast channel, websites and apps. Knowledge Network also invests in documentaries and children’s programs produced by independent filmmakers with more than 40% of their programming budget supporting original stories told by BC and Canadian filmmakers. Download their app and stream their content for free!
Access: Available to anyone anywhere

Launch
View on Google Play View on the App Store

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform featuring video courses and tutorials. LinkedIn Learning offers courses with a focus on skills for business, creative industries, education, information technology, software, and web development. The tutorials are high quality and led by industry experts.

Our LinkedIn Learning ID is: virl
Our invite URL (needed to log in to app) is: https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/virl

LinkedIn Learning includes topics, software skills, and learning paths for the following subject areas:

  • 3D +Animation
  • Audio + Music
  • Business
  • CAD
  • Design
  • Developer
  • Education
  • Information Technology
  • Marketing
  • Photography
  • Video
  • Web

Launch Tutorial
View on Google Play View on the App Store

Naxos Music Library

Naxos Music Library is the world’s largest online classical music library. Major categories include:

  • Orchestral Works
  • Concertos
  • Chamber Music
  • Vocal & Choral Works
  • Opera & Operetta
  • Ballet Music
  • Film Music
To login to Naxos mobile apps, create an account on the web platform (sign-up under the Playlist tab) and use your credentials to login on the mobile app.
Launch Tutorial
View on Google Play View on the App Store

NNELS

NNELS is the National Network for Equitable Library Service, an online public library of downloadable ebooks and audiobooks for people with print disabilities. Print disabilities include vision, mobility, and comprehension impairments that prevent someone from being able to read a traditional book.

VIRL membership required. After registering at the library, eligible users or friends and family members can access the NNELS catalogue and download material directly, or request assistance from library staff.

NNELS badge
Launch NNELS Help

OverDrive

Notice: The legacy OverDrive app will no longer be available for new downloads after February 23, and will be retired later in 2022. Customers using this app are encouraged to switch to the Libby app in preparation. Some features of the legacy app may no longer be available.
Notice: OverDrive will be performing scheduled maintenance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-5 a.m. from May 3-July 28. Borrowing, holds, and returns may be unavailable at these times

OverDrive is our most popular eBook and eAudiobook platform. It also includes current and back issues of popular magazines. All you need to get started is your library card and an internet connection. Download the Libby App for a simple and easy experience downloading eBooks and eAudiobooks for free.

Cap:

Each library member receives 10 check outs and 10 holds at any one time.
Magazines do not count towards the check out cap.

  • Try the online Libby app at libbyapp.com
  • Information on OverDrive’s new “deliver later” feature for holds is here: help.overdrive.com/en-us/2265.htm
  • Customers experiencing issues with Libby may need to update their mobile device’s operating system. Libby is compatible with iOS 10+ and Android 5+
  • OverDrive eBooks are compatible with Kobo eReaders. Please see more info here.
Launch TutorialSupport FormLibby Online
View on Google Play View on the App Store

Points to the Past

Points to the Past is your gateway to a world-class collection of primary sources, made up of nearly 200 million pages of digitized historical content – maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, and much more. Includes historical newspaper collections from 17th & 18th centuries; archives for the Economist, Punch, the Times of London, the Times Literary Supplement, and more; collections from Associated Press, the British Library, and the Smithsonian.

For a complete list of available collections, please review the Points to the Past One-Page Flyer.

Points to the Past Logo
Launch

PressReader

The world’s largest online newspaper and magazine kiosk, where you can browse and read hundreds of full-content premium newspapers and magazines from around the globe. Access is for 30 days after library sign-in. You will need to follow the steps to sign in as a library member after that 30 day period, to re-start another 30 days of access.

Access to the Globe & Mail is in-branch only. Canadian Newsstream provides access to the Globe & Mail from home.

Please note that access to PressReader requires library customers to provide first and last name and email address to authenticate use. For more information, contact info@virl.bc.ca or review PressReader’s Privacy Policy here.

Launch Tutorial
View on Google Play View on the App Store

The Great Courses

Available through Kanopy, The Great Courses is a series of streaming video courses for lifelong learning. Subjects include: Science, Mathematics, History, Philosophy, Art, Music, Literature, and more.

Sign in with your Kanopy account; customers can access up to two Great Courses per month.

Launch
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