Vancouver Public Libraries: Part 2

This week’s job hunting happened at three Vancouver libraries, because I went to the Burnaby Metrotown branch two days because I needed the meeting room. 

Britannia Branch

This is the first library (other than the BPL Cameron branch) that I haven’t been to before and it’s pretty charming. It’s in a school and community centre area and it looks like it. *Updated to add, this was much less charming once a group of 30-plus children showed up and were very loud. 

Address: 1661 Napier Street

Accessibility: It’s just off of Commercial Drive, so it’s pretty easy to get to. I just had to train to Commercial Broadway station and take a bus. 

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

Location and outdoors: It’s a cute little building. It’s right next to an elementary school, and it has that vibe. There’s not a lot of outdoor space, but there are a couple of benches outside. 

Space inside: The first thing I saw when I walked in was the bright and colourful children’s section. It’s very inviting. The library itself isn’t very big, but there are some computers and tables to work at, as well as a teens only section. 

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

Facilities: Bathrooms are decent. It’s just two individual stalls. There’s a fountain spout in the bathroom sinks, but no where to really fill a water bottle. Same printing as the other branches. In case you didn’t read Part 1 of the VPL branches, it’s 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. 

Events: There’s some children’s story time events and language meetup groups. 

Joe Fortes Branch

I was actually at English Bay with a friend last weekend and we walked past this branch and I knew I was coming here this week, however I had no clue that it was so close to the beach. I would go sit on the beach for a while today if it wasn’t so hot out. I also don’t have my beach chair with me, and I am 100% not sitting on the ground. But anyway, it’s cool that this location is so close to the beach. 

Address: 870 Denman Street

Accessibility: It isn’t too bad to get to. There’s plenty of busses that come here from Burrard station. 

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

Location and outdoors: I was a little confused when I first got here. It’s in the same building as the West End Community Centre. There’s a bit of outdoor space to sit in, but nothing comfortable. It’s basically blocks to sit on. 

Space inside: It’s pretty small, but there are plenty of tables, computers, and chairs. 

Meeting rooms: No meeting rooms in the library, but the community centre has rooms you can rent for between $33-$45 an hour depending on the room and day. They also rent out the auditorium for $65 an hour. 

Facilities: There’s no bathroom in the library, but there is in the community centre. Couldn’t find a water bottle filling station anywhere though. There’s phone charging stations. Same photocopying and printing as other locations. 

Events: All the events seem to be story time events and kids events. 

Firehall Branch

I had complicated feelings about going to this one. It’s close to my old office and I had walked past it so often, but had never gone in. It’s weird being back in the area and not going to the Board. 

Address: 1455 West 10th Avenue

Accessibility: I mean, I’m biased at thinking it’s easy to get to considering I did this exact trek for two years. But in all seriousness, it is pretty easy. It’s just off of W Broadway and Granville, so there’s plenty of bus routes. 

Hours: The hours 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: It’s a neat little building. It’s brick and located above a Fire Station. There are a couple picnic tables outside.

Space inside: There are a few tables, some computers, and teen and children’s sections. 

Meeting rooms: There is a room you can book for community purposes. 

Facilities: THIS IS NOT A DRILL, THERE IS A WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATION! I’m fine… anyway… Bathrooms are individual stalls. There is the usual printing facilities. 

Events: Kids and family events. 

Stay tuned next week when I’ll probably end up yelling more about water bottle filling stations.