Vancouver Public Libraries: Part 1

As I’ve finished the BPL branches, I’m moving on to the VPL ones. Today’s post features the two Vancouver libraries I went to last week, both of which I had been to before. 

Hastings Branch

This was actually the first library I visited in the lower-mainland when I first moved here eleven years ago and lived just off Hastings. I haven’t been here in at least ten years so it was interesting coming back. 

Address: 2674 East Hastings Street

Accessibility: It’s not near a skytrain, but it is along Hastings so there’s a lot of bus routes that go there. Took me about 45 minutes and two buses. 

Hours: While the BPL hours were simple, the VPL ones are much more complicated because every branch seems to be different. The hours here are: Closed on Mondays, 9:30 am-7pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9:30 am-6 pm Thursdays and Fridays, and 9:30 am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays. 

Location and outdoors: I wouldn’t say it’s the nicest looking location. It definitely looks kind of old and unexciting. They do have a giant pride flag inside so that was nice. It’s in a strip of buildings, and there’s no outdoor space. There is a fun-looking coffee shop across the street though, as well as Baaad Anna’s yarn store and Iron Dog books, so I may need to go window shopping before I go home. 

Space inside: There’s a few tables and a few computers. There’s also a kids section. 

Meeting rooms: There’s no private meeting rooms, but a large one you can book online for community purposes. 

Facilities: Bathrooms are fine. Trans-inclusive like the Burnaby ones. There is printing available. 8.5”x11” and 8.5”x14” is $0.20 for single-sided black and white, $0.30 for double-sided black and white, $0.75 for single-sided colour, and $1.00 for double-sided colour. 11”x17” is $0.40 for single-sided black and white, $0.60 for double-sided black and white, $1.50 for single-sided colour, and $2.00 for double-sided colour. Scanning and photocopying are also available. My biggest complaint about this branch is there’s no water bottle filling station. There’s a fountain, but it’s pretty much impossible to get more than an inch of water in your bottle with it. I will be taking a larger bottle to the VPL branches from now on, just in case I can’t refill it. 

Events: Lots of events, including a crafting afternoon coming up that I would go to if I didn’t already have plans. 

Central Branch

When you think of the Vancouver Public Library, this is probably the building that comes to mind. It’s iconic and beautiful. I have been here so much and have so many memories here, including the day two friends and I did a full-blown cosplay photoshoot downtown, and we changed into ballgowns in the library bathrooms. Honestly, it’s probably not the weirdest thing that has been seen in this library. 

Address: 350 West Georgia Street

Accessibility: It’s in downtown Vancouver, about halfway between Granville and Stadium Chinatown stations, so it’s pretty accessible. 

Hours: They’re open 9:30 am - 8:30 pm Monday-Thursday, 9:30 am - 6 pm Friday, 10 am - 6 pm Saturday, and 11 am - 6 pm Sunday. 

Location and outdoors: The building is gorgeous from the outside. There’s outdoor space and a rooftop garden you can visit. There are some shops inside the building. 

Space inside: Honestly, I would say the inside isn’t as nice as the outside. It just looks older and less modern than the BPL branches. However, this library is huge. It has nine floors, community spaces, a theatre, a conference centre, and art exhibits. 

Meeting rooms: This location has lots of public meeting rooms. There are two you can book online ahead of time, and three you can book in person on the day. 

Facilities: I mean, this library basically has everything. Well, almost everything. My complaint (again) is that there’s no water bottle filling station, just a fountain. Aren’t we supposed to be working on sustainability? What does VPL have against water bottle filling stations? *Edited to add, apparently some floors have them, just not the one I usually go to. Anyway… They do have computers, printing and scanning and photocopying (same details as listed for Hastings), okay bathrooms, and an inspiration studio that includes sound booths and a recording studio. 

Events: Okay, so obviously this branch has a ton of events. Everything from the normal story times and talks, and workshops to movies and live music.