Vancouver Public Libraries: Part 4

This is now my fifth week doing this. Job hunting is getting exhausting and frustrating, but at least there are still libraries to get through. 

nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch

Yeah, this branch is interesting. As I got off the bus on East Hastings, I was like “oh god, what have I done?” The area is… not great. I arrived a few minutes before the library opened, so I had to wait outside, and the buildings around it are pretty run down and everything smells like pee. However, when I walked inside, I was shocked to see how nice the library is. 

Address: 730 East Hastings Street

Accessibility: It wasn’t too hard to get to. I took the train downtown, and then I had the option of taking 5 different buses here. 

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: As mentioned, it’s not a great area. There’s no outdoor space, and I don’t think I’d sit out there ever if there was. 

Space inside: It’s pretty spacious for a small library. Lots of lounge space, some computers, and a couple of tables in the front, and the back is full of desks to work at. 

Meeting rooms: There are two meeting rooms you can book for community purposes. There’s also a little breakout room you can book at the desk for two hours a day. This is the only VPL branch I’ve seen other than Central that has one. 

Facilities: Bathrooms are fairly nice. There are water fountains, but no water bottle filling stations. There are phone charging stations. There’s a recording studio. Also, the usual printing. 

Events: Most of the events seem to be storytime in McLean Park nearby. 

Marpole Branch

I am running out of things to say about libraries. This one took forever to get to, but at least it has a pretty mural. 

Address: 8386 Granville Street

Accessibility: I will say, this one was a bit of a pain to try to get to. When I Google Maps’d it, most of the options were like three different busses to coordinate. There were two acceptable options, which was taking the train to Granville and then the 10 bus, or taking the train to 22nd and then the 100 bus. I chose the latter as it avoided downtown. Still took an hour and ten minutes to get here. 

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: It’s a pretty building, but I almost missed seeing the entrance of the library because it’s tucked away next to a Salvation Army. No outdoor space. 

Space inside: I will say, this is the library with the least amount of seating so far. There’s only one table (other than the very low table in the kids’ section) and a handful of chairs. I felt kind of bad being camped out at a corner of the table all day. There are also a few computers. 

Meeting rooms: No meeting rooms

Facilities: Individual bathroom stalls, but no water fountain or bottle filling station. Phone chargers. The usual printing. There’s a sign at the table that says you can borrow a crafting kit. 

Events: Kids events

Kensington Branch

After Wednesday’s branch, which was a pain to get to, having the next two days be fairly close to my place was very nice. This is maybe one of the nicest branches I’ve been to, and it’s just off Kingsway and near Pallet Coffee Roasters, which makes me happy. 

Address: 1428 Cedar Cottage Mews

Accessibility: Very easy and fairly quick to access for me, as I just needed to take the 19 down Kingsway. 

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

Location and outdoors: Just off Kingsway in a beautiful building. There’s a bench outside and a weird statue of a pig. *Edited to add: when I left, I noticed there were also RAT STATUES. 

Space inside: A fair bit of space with a couple of large tables as well as some desks, computers, a kids’ area, and lounge space. 

Meeting rooms: There is a meeting room for community purposes. 

Facilities: Individual family bathroom stalls as well as bathrooms with multiple stalls. The usual printing. WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATION. 

Events: Children’s events (including a Pride storytime) and knowledge workshops. 

Collingwood Branch

After a very long week, it was nice to go to a close library. I’ve passed by this branch so many times, but never been in before. 

Address: 2985 Kingsway

Accessibility: Really easy to get to. It’s just the 19. Takes about 20 minutes on transit, or a 35-minute walk. 

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: It’s a really cool building on Kingsway. There isn’t any outdoor space. 

Space inside: A few tables, some lounge space, computers, kids’ section. 

Meeting rooms: No meeting room. 

Facilities: Individual bathroom stalls, water fountain, and the usual printing. 

Events: A mix of kids’ events and ESL conversation circles.