North Vancouver City Library and Vancouver Public Libraries: Part 5

I had a job interview in North Van this week, so instead of making my way to a Vancouver library afterwards, I ended up at the North Vancouver City Library, which was a nice change. Then it was back to Vancouver for the next couple. 

North Vancouver City Library

Well, I’ve been saying that the Burnaby Libraries (particularly Metrotown) are nicer than the Vancouver ones, but I have to change that ranking because the North Van City library is nicer than both cities. There are more libraries in North Van, which I’m sure I’ll do if I get through the Vancouver ones, but this one is separate from those. 

Address: 120 14th Street West

Accessibility: I wasn’t coming from my house, but a job interview instead, so it only took a short bus ride to get here. However, it’s just a bus and a train to get home, and will take just over an hour, so that’s not terrible. 

Hours: The hours are 9 am-9 pm Mondays to Thursdays, 9 am-5 pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 pm-5 pm Sundays.

Location and outdoors: Have I mentioned this is the nicest library I’ve been to? It’s right next to the North Van City Hall, and a lovely outdoor space with lots of benches. There was even a performance happening out there during lunch. 

Space inside: It’s huge. There are three floors. Lots of tables and work space, quiet study space, kids’ section, teen section, and lounge space. 

Meeting rooms: There are two study rooms you can book for three hours. There’s also a boardroom and two large meeting rooms you can book. 

Facilities: Computers, recording studio, lots of washrooms, water bottle filling station, digitalization studio. There’s also printing, which costs: Black & white, 1-sided (any size) $0.25; Black & white, 2-sided (any size) $0.50; Colour, 1-sided (any size) $0.50; Colour, 2-sided (any size) $1. You can also send a fax for: Fax (local calls) $1 + tax, per page, and Fax (long-distance calls) $2 + tax, per page. 

Events: Along with children’s events, there are also writer talks, book clubs, board game nights, and other adult events. 

Renfrew Branch

I had no clue that there was another branch that was only a 20-minute transit away. This is a really nice one, too. 

Address: 2969 East 22nd Avenue

Accessibility: Pretty easy to get to. It’s either two buses or a train and a bus. The two buses only take 20 minutes total. 

Hours: The hours are 9:30 am-8 pm Mondays to Thursdays, 9:30 am-6 pm Fridays, and 9:30 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Location and outdoors: Really lovely building with outdoor space. 

Space inside: There are so many tables and desks, computers, lounge space, kids’ and teen spaces. 

Meeting rooms: Meeting room for community purposes. 

Facilities: Bathrooms, water fountains, phone charging stations, and usual printing. 

Events: Mix of kids’ and adult events. 

South Hill Branch

I will be completely honest, as I write about this library, I have a massive migraine, and so I’m a little bit biased against everything right now, because the world is too bright and loud, and I would like to be asleep. But I guess it’s a nice branch. 

Address: 6076 Fraser Street

Accessibility: I mean, it’s on Fraser. Took me two buses to get here. My trip home looks a bit more complicated, though. 

Hours: The hours are: Closed on Mondays, 9:30 am-7 pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 am-6 pm Thursdays and Fridays, and 9:30 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

Location and outdoors: Cute building. There isn’t much outdoor space, but there is one bench. 

Space inside: It’s fairly small and doesn’t have a lot of tables or seating. There are some computers. 

Meeting rooms: There is a meeting room for community purposes, but they also have it open for anyone to sit in when it isn’t booked, which is good considering the lack of tables. 

Facilities: Bathrooms. I didn’t see a water fountain or bottle-filling station. The usual printing. 

Events: A mix of kids’ events and educational adult events.