Illume will be unavailable on Monday, September 21, from 8 am to noon for planned maintenance.

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GVPL Alerts

  • Due to scheduled system maintenance, the online catalogue, My Account, online library card sign-up, and some digital collections will be unavailable from 7:30 pm on Wednesday, September 23, to 5:30 am on Thursday, September 24.

  • Illume will be unavailable on Monday, September 21, from 8 am to noon for planned maintenance.

  • All GVPL branches will be closed on Wednesday, September 30, for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Oak Bay Branch

Enjoy a community-centered library experience beside the Monterey Recreation Centre.

1442 Monterey Avenue, Victoria, B.C. V8S 4W1

Branch hours

Branch hours
Monday Mon 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tuesday Tue 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Wednesday Wed 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday Thu 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday Fri 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday Sun Closed
Oak Bay branch interior showing windows with tables by them and people working on laptops

Special features

  • 24-hour library materials return 
  • Children’s area
  • Spanish children’s books
  • Chinese children’s books
  • Bookable computers (7)
  • Free menstrual products
  • Printing and photocopying

Location information

Branch accessibility

All GVPL branches, including ours, have wheelchair-accessible entrances, washrooms, and computers. We welcome all service animals.

Accessibility at GVPL
Getting here by transit

This branch is served by the 2 and 5 bus routes.

Parking for cars and bikes

There are bicycle racks just outside the branch.

Free two-hour street parking is available nearby. Limited parking is also available in the parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis.

What’s at Oak Bay Branch

We’re a lively neighbourhood library for people who love reading. Our collections are sure to spark curiosity and imagination. Visit this branch to get help from a librarian or find your next favourite title.

stained glass of books detail - there are words on one pane that say "knowledge is the food of the soul - Plato"

LIBRARY SERVICES

Use a public computer

We have public computers for everyone to use, free of charge. Book one for up to an hour, or hop onto any open computer until the next reservation begins. We also have Express computers available in 15-minute time slots for quick tasks.

Drop in and use any available computer.

Find a study room or pod

We don’t have study rooms or pods at this location. Find a nearby branch that has a private space for you to meet instead.

Find a space to meet

Go online

Enjoy fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the library on your own devices. If you need help getting online, just ask us for help.

Just ask at our front desk.

Print and photocopy

You can print from any library computer. In a hurry? Book a computer ahead of time for quicker printing. Black-and-white and colour printing and photocopying are available at all GVPL branches. Just keep an eye on the time as computers automatically shut down 15 minutes before closing.

Drop in and use any available computer.

Pick up a hold

Place a hold on any book or item in our online catalogue and pick it up at the branch most convenient for you. Every branch has a Holds section for reserved books, often located right near the entrance.

Borrow a book

Newcomer supports

We help newcomers navigate life in Canada. You don’t need to be eligible for federal settlement services to get help. Join a conversation class, ask questions, or get free information and support for newcomers.

Find services for newcomers

Help with job searches

Stuck on the job hunt? We can help! Get directions on the right places to look for jobs and help finding reliable resources on writing resumes.

Just ask at our front desk.

Help with research

While we can’t write your essay for you, we can help you find great sources for your research. Let us help guide you to reliable and specialized information on any topic. We can show you how to find what you need in academic journal databases, historical archives, and trusted websites.

Just ask at our front desk.

programs AND Events
  • Baby sitting on floor turning the pages of a book with the help of the arms of a caregiver.

    Baby Time with Stay and Play

    Fun-filled songs, rhymes, and fingerplays to use with your baby every day, followed by 30 minutes of social time and free play.

    Fall Session (September 15 to October 31)

  • Adults reading books

    Fall programs for adults

    Discover new interests, learn new skills, and connect with others through our exciting lineup of adult programs.

    September to November

  • Child colouring on table

    Fall programs for children

    Explore our exciting lineup of programs designed to inspire creativity, encourage exploration, and keep kids engaged all season long.

    September to December

  • Overhead view of young hands holding a coloured pencil while drawing in a collaged journal full of stylized words and drawings.

    Fall programs for tweens and teens

    Unleash your creativity, meet like-minded people, and discover new hobbies through arts, writing, gaming, and more!

    September to November

  • a woman reads to a young child who is in her lap

    Fall programs for young children

    Join us to play, learn, and make memories together while helping your child build a lifelong love of reading and discovery.

    September to December

  • children in a library at storytime

    Family Storytime with Stay and Play 

    Enjoy fun-filled stories, songs, rhymes, and puppets, followed by 30 minutes of social time and free play.

    Fall Session (September 15 to October 31)

  • Carved pumpkins at night with a candle

    Halloween at the Library

    Spooky stories, crafts, and Halloween fun for all ages!

    October 23 to 31

  • Someone pours peas out of seed packet into open hands

    Seed Library

    Patrons can borrow seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers through the self‑serve Seed Library located at the Central Branch.

    Ongoing

See what’s happening
Three children, two boys and a girl playing an interactive game of Code and Go Robot Mouse, on a library table.

Library TechPlay toys

Explore science and engineering concepts with kids through play. Learn to code with a robot mouse (ages 4+), build simple electronics with our Snap Circuit Arcade Kit (8+), and experience the magic of robotics with Squeakee, a robot dog that comes to life and even responds to commands (5+).

Find these in our children’s area.

Young girl in summer dress, inside small wooden cottage playhouse in Oak Bay Library children's section. Colourful rug and furniture in the background.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and the Friends of the Greater Victoria Public Library for supporting the enhancement of our children’s spaces.

Fastfacts

Our Fastreads shelf is stocked with popular books you can grab with no holds. Come in and see what great finds are sitting on the shelf today!

Find Fastreads on Libby