Burnaby Public Libraries

This is not the blog post I was hoping to write this month. When I planned my blog posts for the month, I had July marked down as writing a blog post about work because my contract at the Board was up in late June, and I was hoping to be transitioning into a permanent role. Unfortunately due to how much the market sucks right now, that didn’t happen. My last day was June 27, and I’m going to miss it. However, my new focus is now on finding a new job. 

Anyway, the point being, I can’t just sit around at home all day every day, so Angela gave me an idea for a project. I’m going to visit different libraries in the Lower Mainland and job hunt, while also comparing the libraries and writing about them. Not sure how much I’m going to do, it depends on when I manage to find a job. 

For week one (and the first day of week two), I tackled all of Burnaby. There are four locations of the BPL, and five days of job hunting, so I repeated one branch twice, because I needed the meeting room on two days. 

Metrotown Bob Prittie Branch

I come to this library all the time, so this wasn’t a new experience for me, but it’s always a good experience. I find the staff really helpful, and it’s just a nice building. I was accosted by a woman who said “God bless you” to me like eight times, but that’s pretty common around the Metrotown area. 

Address: 6100 Willingdon Ave

Accessibility: This location is close to the Metrotown SkyTrain station and multiple buses, so it’s really easy to get to. It’s even easier for me because I’m only a twenty-minute walk away, which is why it’s typically my library of choice. 

Hours: The hours are alright. They’re open 7 days a week, except for holidays, which is great. It’s open 10-8 Monday-Thursday and 10-6 Friday-Sunday. I do love how late they are open, but I wish they opened a bit earlier. 

Location and outdoors: It’s a gorgeous location. There’s a courtyard and fountain outside with a lot of benches and places to sit and hang out. There are often people outside taking exercise and dance classes, and it’s really lovely. There’s also a rotating art exhibit from the Burnaby Art Gallery. 

Space inside: There are lots of tables and computers, and places to work. It’s usually pretty busy, but I can typically find somewhere to sit and work. 

Meeting rooms: This location does have a couple of meeting rooms and two community rooms. I have booked a community room before, but that was back in 2018 for a work event, so I don’t really remember much about it. When I researched this, it looks like community rooms can be booked by community groups and non-profits by filling out paperwork and submitting it to the librarian. I did use a meeting room while I was here. You have to go see the library staff on the day you want the room and sign up on a list. It’s annoying that you can’t book ahead of time or online, but I still managed to get the room for the time I wanted. There’s a big one and a small one, and both are pretty nice. This is the only location with meeting rooms, which is why I visited twice. 

Facilities: I love that the bathrooms are all unisex, and they’re honestly really nice and well-maintained. There’s a water bottle filling station that’s easy to use and nice and cold. This location has a digital recording studio. They have computers and printers. Printing does cost money: it’s $0.20 a side for black and white or $0.30 a side for colour. However, if you’re a member of the library, you get $5 of free printing and scanning credits a month.  

Events: This location has many events. There seems to be a fair number of kids and family events, and they do have a great kids section. There are also skills and career workshops. 

Tommy Douglas Branch

I’ve been to this branch before, but not since 2018, so it was worth checking out again. While it’s not as nice as the Metrotown branch, it’s still a pretty nice library. 

Address: 7311 Kingsway

Accessibility: It’s not quite as accessible as Metrotown, but still pretty easy to get to. It’s a 15-minute walk from Edmonds station, or you can take a bus. 

Hours: The hours are the same as  Metrotown. 

Location and outdoors: The building is pretty cool from the outside. It’s also right next door to a coffee shop, and between the library and the coffee shop, there are some benches to sit outside. 

Space inside: A fair bit of seating, some tables, and some computers. 

Meeting rooms: I couldn’t find any meeting rooms, but there is a community room you can book with paperwork. 

Facilities: Bathrooms are fairly well maintained. They weren’t unisex like Metrotown, but there was a “trans people welcome” sign, which was a nice touch. Same nice water bottle filling station. Computers and printing are available at the same prices as Metrotown. 

Events: Not as many events as Metrotown, but there was an English reading circle for ESL learners while I was there today, so that was pretty cool. 

Cameron Branch

So this is a weird one. It’s in Lougheed Mall, but apparently it’s a temporary location. I haven’t been here before, and it was pretty underwhelming, but also very reminiscent of growing up in Salmon Arm, with the library in Piccadilly Mall.

Address: 110 - 9855 Austin Avenue

Accessibility: Right by Lougheed Town Centre station, so it’s pretty easy to get to. 

Hours: Same hours as the others. 

Location and outdoors: As mentioned, it’s in a mall, so there isn’t really outdoor space. 

Space inside: A few tables (though one is reserved for teens only), some workstations and computers, some lounge chairs, and a children’s area.  

Meeting rooms: No meeting or community rooms. 

Facilities: No bathroom or water bottle filling station. There are bathrooms around the corner in the mall, but I couldn’t find a water bottle filling station anywhere.  There is printing available, the same as the other two. 

Events: They actually do have some events here, but in the next room at the community centre. 

McGill Branch

This was my library for years when I lived in the area. I didn’t go a lot, but I remember it being really nice. 

Address: 4595 Albert St.

Accessibility: It’s not the most accessible as it’s about a half-hour walk from the nearest train (Brentwood), but there are lots of bus options. It was actually pretty easy for me because there’s a bus that takes me right there from my place. 

Hours: Same as the rest of the Burnaby libraries.

Location and outdoors: Really great building with lovely outdoor space as well. Like Metrotown, it has a rotating art exhibit. 

Space inside: Lots of desks and work tables, some lounging areas, both children’s and teens’ sections, and computers. 

Meeting rooms: No meeting rooms, but there is a community room. 

Facilities: Pretty nice trans-inclusive bathrooms. Water bottle filling station. Printing and photocopying for the same prices as the others. This location also has the City of Burnaby Archives, which you can visit from 12 pm-8 pm on Thursdays by dropping in, or at other times by booking an appointment. 

Events: Lots of events, including a Board Game club. 

All in all, it was a success. The BPL system is really nice. I also love that you don’t need to bring your physical library card anymore. You can just have it on the BPL app and scan your phone. I took a couple of days off from libraries this week, but I’ll be starting the Vancouver ones tomorrow.