Service Update: June 25, 2020
View all COVID-19 service updates
On June 30, patrons will once again be able to borrow physical library materials of their choice at two locations: Central Branch and Langford Heritage Branch. The Greater Victoria Public Library is gradually and safely restoring services that have not been available since the library system closed its 12 physical branches on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congratulations, Maureen Sawa, GVPL CEO
Maureen Sawa was awarded the 2020 Award of Excellence by the Association of BC Public Library Directors (ABCPLD). This award recognizes outstanding leadership in library advocacy, innovation and contribution to the library community. The recipient is selected by their peers in the library industry.
Maureen received the award at the AGM of the ABCPLD on June 24, 2020.
Read more about this honour in the ABCPLD announcement.
Get a library card online
In just two minutes, you’ll have a GVPL library card and can start accessing GVPL’s virtual branch instantly. If you haven’t had a library card in a long time, signing up for a new card is the fastest way to get started. Let’s go!
BC Summer Reading Club is now available online
Kids aged five and up can get started right away with the new online BC Summer Reading Club.
Track your reading and collect virtual badges along the way.
Three options for streaming movies and TV
Just like Netflix, Kanopy, Hoopla and IndieFlix have movies, TV shows and documentaries for you to stream for free – all you need is a library card. Use your library card number and password to create an account, then download the app or watch through your browser.
| Kanopy – NEW! |
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| On-demand streaming service featuring movies, TV shows, documentaries |
| Learn more | Open Kanopy |
| Hoopla | IndieFlix |
| Instantly stream or download movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks and more | Digital movies, cartoons, documentaries and classic TV shows |
| Learn more | Open Hoopla | Learn more | Open IndieFlix |
Learn from experts with Lynda.com
Learn almost anything you can imagine on Lynda.com, with courses and videos taught by professionals. Coding, software, leadership, business, marketing, reading music – Lynda.com has everything, and it’s free for you to access with your library card number and password.
| Learn more | Open Lynda.com |
Ebooks and e-audiobooks you can download to your device
Unlimited digital books in the palm of your hand. Explore GVPL’s rich collection of ebooks and e-audiobooks available in two platforms: CloudLibrary and RBDigital. In both, you can filter your search by tiles that are available now, so you can see what is available to read instantly.
A note on devices: You can add library ebooks to most e-readers, including Fire tablets (formerly Kindle Fire). All other Kindle devices are incompatible with ebooks in Canadian libraries.
| CloudLibrary | RBDigital Audiobooks |
| Borrow thousands of ebooks and e-audiobooks for all ages | Choose from more than 30,000 e-audiobooks and start listening instantly |
| Learn more | Open CloudLibrary | Learn more | Open RBDigital |
Uncover your family’s past
Learn the stories behind the names on your family tree. Search thousands of databases for documents and information that will help you piece together the lives of your ancestors.
| Learn more | Open Ancestry |
Typically, AncestryLibrary is only available at library branches. Access to this resource has been temporarily expanded to library cardholders researching remotely, courtesy of ProQuest and its partner Ancestry.
Language lessons from home
Brush up on your Bengali, practice your Polish or take up something new. Take quizzes to assess your language proficiency level; work through lessons with video and audio clips; and expand your vocabulary with conversation practice. Where do you want to travel when borders reopen after COVID-19? Start working on a new language today.
| Learn more | Open Mango |
Daily newspapers from around the world
Choose from the world’s largest selection of premium newspapers and magazines. Read Canadian and international reporting on business, tech, news, COVID-19 and more.
| Learn more | Open PressReader |
Magazines for entertainment and education
Instantly read current issues of popular magazines on your computer or through the RBdigital app on your mobile device. Choose from more than 100 magazines covering a range of topics — news, business, science, fashion and more.
| Learn more | Open RBDigital |
Soundtrack to comfort and joy
What music will uplift you during this difficult time? Naxos Music Library and Hoopla let you discover new music – and play the classics – to serenade you through days of self-isolation.
| Naxos Music Library | Hoopla |
| Stream more than two million tracks of classical, jazz, opera, pop and rock | The latest popular music available to stream. Includes newly released movie soundtracks and Broadway shows. |
| Learn more | Open Naxos | Learn more | Open Hoopla |
You can see all GVPL’s digital content in one place and find resources to read, watch, listen and learn from home or wherever you’re self-isolating.
You can visit the full gvpl.ca here. Please note: not all services are available during the COVID-19 closure.
Local elected officials and celebrities are reading their favourite children’s picture books on camera, giving families a wonderful tradition to enjoy before bedtime and helping foster a sense of community during COVID-19 self-isolation.
City of Victoria councillor Charlayne Thornton-Joe started the storytime series, which airs live every weekday evening at 8:00 pm on her Facebook page. The videos are archived on a new YouTube channel, Eight O’Clock Storybook Reading.
COVID-19 Service Updates
Do not return borrowed items to the library until June 30; all branches and drop boxes are closed until then. Starting June 30, the following drop boxes will be available during specific hours (listed above): Central, Langford Heritage, sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay and Emily Carr branches.
Fines and fees on late material did not accumulate while GVPL was closed (March 17 to June 29), but will start taking effect on June 30 for items that are borrowed from that day forward.
Material that is checked out and had an original due date of March 17 or later will not be due until August 30, 2020. Your library account has been updated.
Library fines can be paid online; in-person payments will not be accepted for the indefinite future.
Items on hold and items awaiting pick up from March 16 onward have not expired.
With the reopening, GVPL is introducing changes to protect the health and safety of library users and staff. Social distancing measures will be in place with signage and floor decals to serve as a guide, as well as stringent cleaning protocols.
Library card expiry dates have been extended until further notice. No action is needed at this time. If your card has already expired, sign up for a new card online.
Ask Us
We welcome your comments and questions, and we will respond as soon as possible, Monday to Friday. Thank you for your patience during this time.