vancouver public library is a wealth of information and resources for the community, housed in a…read morestriking building designed to resemble a modern day coliseum. the library provides accessible services to help ensure everyone can use the space comfortably, along with social services and community support resources. it also regularly features events such as talks, workshops, and activities for different age groups. the architecture is organized across several levels. the lower level is currently under construction. level 2 contains the main entrance, information desk, children's collection, library card services, and borrowing services. level 3 focuses on digital creativity, featuring the inspiration lab. this space provides free access to soundproof recording studios, including three sound booths for small groups and the larger terry mcbride recording studio for video and photography. to use these, you can book a session online up to two weeks in advance with your library card, allowing for a maximum of three hours per day. level 4 has collections related to business, cookbooks, esl, and fashion. level 5 is a quiet floor with newspapers and magazines available. level 6 holds dvds, music cds, and spoken word materials. level 7 includes special collections and human resources. level 8 features meeting rooms, a reading room, an eating area, temporary exhibit space, the family theatre, and several outdoor patios for fresh air while you work. level 9 includes additional meeting rooms and a very nice rooftop garden that serves as a great escape with a panoramic view of the city skyline. this green space is even equipped with solar panels that help power the ninth floor. beyond books, the library hosts a musical instrument lending library. you can borrow a variety of instruments free of charge for up to three weeks, including acoustic and electric guitars, violins, ukuleles, and keyboards. to borrow one, simply check the library catalogue to see if it is available and visit the service desk at the central library. inside the building, there are also several convenient services and businesses, including a td machine, blenz coffee, a convenience store, gift store, dental clinic, bike shop, and onigiri ya. together, these resources make the library a welcoming and useful place to study, learn, and spend time.

If I lived here, I'd go to the library at least twice a week (unlike now, where I only check out…read moreebooks online, and go in once every two years when they make me verify my residency). What an incredible resource for the citizens of Vancouver! We had a long layover so we explored every single floor of this library. There were so many computer stations if you needed to do work online, but also so many little nooks with comfy seating to settle down in with a good book. The rooftop had an incredible view of downtown Vancouver, and the atrium was nice and warm. There was currently an "electronic concert" going on where there were chairs set up so people could listen to recordings played over the speakers in the atrium. I thought it was a really neat way to get the community together to listen, discuss, and engage with one another.

For a government agency, I've found that customs surprisingly lacks bureaucracy. I immigrated to…read moreCanada, so I had produce a list of items I would import at a later date -- duty-free as a new arrival. I forgot two items, and I thought it would be a mess. No problem. I went to this office, and the officer just added it and stamped my list. If you forget the address, remember to search on Yelp. It's not easy to find this anywhere else. I got it from a customs officer I met in Victoria, BC.

Two experiences here: - adult passport renewal (no travel…read moredate so not rushed) - baby's passport - first passport (no travel date) Check in quick. Either a walk in line or appointment line (not sure when they release appointments. Did take a look online but they were a month down the road). Check in takes less than 15 minutes. Waiting time is variable but both times I've waited less than an hour to be seen/pay for the process. Highly recommend coming here for passport needs if you meet the criteria. Lots of seating. Staff are friendly.

Unfortunately, my experience with Service Canada has been beyond slow, even when dealing with…read moreurgent matters that required timely decision-making. Delays and lack of communication caused significant stress and uncertainty, especially when support was needed most. While I understand delays can happen, there should be clearer communication and faster handling of urgent cases. People depend on these services, and the current process feels overwhelming and difficult to navigate during already challenging times

If you love Art Deco, pop into this 1930s office building near the water. It's open to the public…read moreto see the architecture inside. Most of the design is in the lobby and don't sleep on going inside one of the elevators. There are a few shops in the basement. Restrooms are in the basement but they aren't open to the public unless you ask a shop owner to let you in.

Went there under renovation, but the side decor is still able to be seen alongside the building…read more Very iconic, but wish it was not under construction

Through the back of a clean, busy luggage store, you'll find my favorite post office. Friendly…read morepeople, quick efficient service.

I highly recommend this place. If you are looking for police collectables, THIS IS the PLACE TO GO!…read moreI found the hard-to-find RCMP car miniature version made from MATCHBOX. I think it was $4.99 each. There is only a HANDFUL left, so get them while supplies last. Or can ask them when the next shipment and can show the picture I provided, happy hunting!

Very cool store if you're into collecting patches, pins, or anything else in regards to the…read moreMounties. I bought some shirts and patches for a reasonable price. The shopkeeper (I think his name is Tom) was very polite and talkative.

Somewhat beyond unpretentious, this local community center on the corner of Main and Hastings has…read moreit's own charm and personality, with exceptionally nice staff and people who have dedicated their lives to helping the less fortunate. With its historical architecture and spiral staircase, the space is archaic and beautiful, with plenty of character and room for a library, gym, and cafeteria. The food upstairs is amazingly good and healthy, with three course dishes for less than four dollars, but remember that the food is mostly intended to feed the local starving homeless people. The area is pretty sketchy, dirty and daunting with clustered packs of crack addicts loitering around the entrance. Just remember that these are people suffering from addiction, and if you are capable of saying "no" every time you're offered crack (usually 2-5 times), you're probably not in any real physical danger.

***Review # 400***…read more But wait... I have walked by this building countless times, but I have never been in. So why the review? Because #400 has to be a statement, and this building and this street corner are a statement of the darker side of our city. This gorgeous historic building is perched on the corner of Main and Hastings, which is indeed the most impoverish zip code in North America. Carnegie is the heart of the downtown eastside. Walking by on a daily basis at abotu 8:30 at one point, each day I noticed the local residences cleaning the area. Getting rid of rubbish, hosing the side walk. Kitty corner to the main VPD detatchment, it seems an odd area for drug trafficking. It is well policed. Again having walked right by countless times I have never felt unsafe (although I have had offers to buy crack a few times). Heavily policed, this area is not for the faint at heart, but it is a very real part of our city, even if we aren't all that proud of it. Carnegie itself services this population. According to vancouver.ca it is "meant to serve people at the very margins of the community and to help them obtain real options for moving out of often destructive life styles." Main and Hastings is my favorite place to bring out of town tourists... typically at night, and always in a car. While some people may turn their noses to this population, I find this area to one where one can learn humility. Speaking with the residents, they will tell you their stories. And if you are keen you will learn that the difference between you and them is you probably had a few luckier breaks in life. These people aren't terrible; what is terrible is how they can be treated like human waste. A five minute conversation with a local resident will change you mind, your perspective, maybe your life. In fact, anytime I hear something cold or calluous muttered about our homeless population I tell the utter-er to go to Carnegie and talk to some people. So thank you Carnegie Hall for providing this community a living room, and thank you to residents of the immediate area who have shared their stories with me.

There is a certain peace of mind knowing that there is a fire hall less than half a block away…read more Considering I live on one of the most popular intersections in vancouver to have an accident (bikes and cars don't mix) this brigade still takes the time to drive the truck that half a block to lend a helping hand. They also have an extensive public outreach and each summer have an open house where the neighbours can get together to meet the firefighters, they pull out all the trucks for kids to climb on and to ask any question they could possibly ask about being a fireman... or is it fire person I always get that confused. I also enjoy truck washing day as well when I am on my way home from work and you see the guys out there scrubbing down the trucks in the hot, hot sun, as if time slows down and they get all soaped up in their .....white.... wet ....T's...... AND then someone honks and I am snapped back to reality and realize their just average life saving fire people there to protect and serve... and I am happy to know they are there for me and my fellow neighbours in any event.

Just north of the Sunset Beach concession stand, and just south of the big Anukchuk sculpture south…read moreof English Bay beach, on the east side of the grassy area adjacent to Beach Avenue, lies an undulating steel wall that seems to melt into the grassy knoll behind it. It is very subtle and rather understated and muted in its affect. It totally blends into its surroundings - so much so that many people I've talked to about this steel wall have mentioned they've passed it often and never even realized it's there. This metal ribbon-like wall is 60 feet in length and is actually comprised of multiple steel panels, each of which is laser-etched with the names of BC residents who have died from AIDS. There are 800 names in all at this time. Because the laser-etched names create a void in the metal plates, people are able to place notes and flowers in the name-holes. I think this is a lovely way for people to pay their respects to those they've lost. This memorial is similar to the Vietnam Memorial by Pei in Washington, DC (albeit on a much smaller scale): it is simple and stark in it's aesthetic, and melds into the landscape in a way that seems totally natural. It allows the surroundings to take center stage. It doesn't call attention to itself. It's a muted, respectful memorial. Artist Bruce Wilson dedicated this landmark "to the memory of those lost to HIV/AIDS, to the caregivers who eased their passing, and to those who live with the presence of their absence." Very thoughtful, comforting words.