Enter from street level to get to the library on the second floor. Even though the library is small…read more(you can stand on one side and see the other side), it feels spacious with bright lighting and large windows for a view in the cozy fireplace corner. There are a couple quiet study rooms at either end that can feel a little claustrophobic, but they serve their purpose. I've never had an issue finding a place to sit, even if it's in the kids books area. The library is conveniently located in a complex with grocery stores, restaurants, and even Starbucks across the street for a change in ambiance.

Overall, I like this library. My favorite thing about here is that they have big tables for group…read morestudies, and usually it's pretty quite, especially during work hours. It's super easy to find parkings here too. But I noticed that after 3:30pm, it gets a bit noisy, especially around the big table areas (even though the sign says it's a silent zone). Many private tutors occupy those big tables to tutor highschoolers. There's a silent zone area at the back too, and it has AC.

A smaller branch library that had a Friends of the Library sale. Since it was rainy, decided to…read morestop in. It's a smaller library but was able to get a visitor's card. They let you borrow PS2 and Nintendo games.

I am a fan of the online reservation system. With Richmond libraries you can find a book online and…read morethen have it sent to the branch nearest you. The Cambie Branch is the one nearest me. This definitely not a library you can go to without reserving ahead of time, unless you are looking for tween anime books, books in chinese, travel books, diy books, or cookbooks. Thankfully the last 3 topics I am into so I can always find 3 or 4 "impulse buys" while I am there to pick up a reserved book. If you haven't read all your selections in time you can always extend the checkout online- unless someone else has reserved that title. Seriously folks, check out your local library, it's a great free resource. You can't get ALL your info online- even though everything you read on the net is true and accurate! ...

In my experience, the smaller community branches of libraries tend to be pretty minimal when it…read morecomes to their collections. And I get that - go to the main branch of you're looking for big ticket items. So, upon moving to Richmond, I didn't have high hopes for my local library. Co-located in a community centre, I saw it was quite small - would my English-degree winning heart be happy here? Happily, yes. A great collection of new titles, award winners and best sellers - better by far than any branch of the Vancouver Public Library I've visited. Tons of Quick Read options, an extensive DVD collection, and a large Japanese-language section? Yes please! Plus, this library has tons of natural light, and no musty library smell. I am a happy reader. And they're open every day and late on weeknights! Look, any library is pretty freaking awesome in that they let you TAKE STUFF AWAY without paying them - but you might as well find one that's clean, convenient, and had the stuff you want. I've found it here.

This is one of the must see things on your visit to Vancouver. It's architecture is Roman Colosseum…read moreinspired and the library is so huge. Not only is the book collection so large but how the interior is laid out. There were all types of chairs. There are sittings areas on the floor, the stairs, the comfy couches, the outdoor garden, meeting rooms. It is a very thoughtful and modern lay out. You can get a nice view of the city skyline and from a particular spot even see the mountains taking you to far away mountains right from the busy city life. There were inspirational labs, recording rooms, opportunities to take classes, meeting rooms, computers with catalogue search and internet. The amenities are just endless.

The Vancouver Public Library Central Branch is such a beautiful building. The architecture is huge…read moreand impressive, and it reminds me so much of the Roman Colosseum. It really stands out in the middle of downtown, and even if you're not someone who usually visits libraries, it's worth going inside to explore. It's big, spacious, and surprisingly peaceful considering how central it is. There are so many books, quiet areas to sit and read, and different floors to wander through. I also love the cafés and places to eat in the middle, between the inside and outside of the structure. The rooftop garden and open areas are also lovely, especially when you want to sit somewhere quiet for a little while. A beautiful, interesting, and peaceful place in the heart of Vancouver. Whether you love books, architecture, or just finding a quiet place in the city, the Central Library is definitely worth visiting.

Great place, clean, quiet, handy, easy to find and plenty of free parking. My husband likes books…read moreand love to go spend a couple of hours there. Lots of windows, overseeing the park

Great resources, clean library and helpful staffs…read more Large library so there is a lot of study space and it is (usually) very quiet in terms of noise. Free fast wi-fi and they also have many computer terminals you can use if you don't have a laptop or tablet. My favorite thing about the library is that is is centrally located in North Burnaby next to a swimming pool/fitness centre, a running track and lots of food. Makes for a great study session and efficient day! Librarians are friendly and will help you find whatever you are looking for. If they don't have a book on the shelves you can always request from another library and they ship the book for you. Lots of free parking as well :)

Quiet place to work or study. Plenty of space to do so (pictured). Open to everyone. Hours are ok…read more- it closes at 5pm. You can stay after hours if you are a member of the Law Society of BC. If you need to do some basic legal research, the front desk folks are very helpful. Free access to the legal search engine, Westlaw (law firms normally pay thousands of dollars to have this). Most importantly, FREE WIRELESS!!!!! FREE WIRELESS!!! FREE WIRELESS!!!!

Cool, quiet, well staffed, lots of computers, copying,free wifi, and even some books for kids…read morewhile they wait! Greatly used and needed in the busy and crowded downtown core.

A very clean, quiet library beside the fire station. The computers and printers are easy to use…read more I have had my library card since 2008 and it still works well. The staff are friendly and helpful. Inside the library there are enough tables and chairs and of course books. A very happy, spacious place.

All of my friends know that I spend a lot of time reading books. I can plow through a book in a…read moreday, so this is where the library comes in handy. The Firehall Branch is the closest one to me, so I end up going there the most. The Firehall Branch is on the second floor on W 10th Ave between Granville and Hemlock Street. It's a short walk from the 99 B-Line stop at Granville Street. The library itself is pretty small. They have a decent selection of children's literature, fiction, magazines and dvds. They also have computers available that you can pay to use. The best strategy with this library is to put books on hold online, then request them for pickup at the Firehall Branch. I find it can take up to 4 days for a book to be transferred from a different branch, but you receive an email as soon as the book is ready for pick up. The books you put on hold are alphabetically organized on the shelves to the right of the check out counter. There are two express check out stations, as well as two librarians available to check out books for you, which makes things really efficient. The hours of the branch are a bit lackluster compared to other locations. It's open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 AM to 8 PM, and Thursday to Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. It makes it easy enough to pick up books after work, but I wish this branch was open on Sundays as well. Also, I find the librarians aren't as friendly as you'd expect. I donated a huge bag full of plastic bags since they had a sign up asking for some, and the librarian seemed annoyed. If you're looking for super cheap paperbacks and books, this branch sells books for as low as 50 cents each. It's a great deal if you want a new book to read and don't mind its condition. I give this branch 4 stars because I've had no problems getting in any book I've desired in a reasonable time frame. For a small branch, it's in a great, convenient location. If you want a new book to read, save yourself some cash and borrow it from the library!

Convenient location across Safeway South Granville. It is a small library but I visit it quite…read moreoften when I'm in the area. They have a section for computer use and kids. The librarians are very nice and helpful. They recently added self check-out stations which requires your library card and last 4 digits of your phone number. This makes things much easier.

Older small location, lots of patrons rotating in and out…read more Not as quiet as a library is. Very helpful librarians.

I rarely use the Oakridge branch of the VPL (Vancouver Public Library) as it's not near where I…read morelive or work, and I'm not in the area much in the first place. However, the odd time that I'm in the area and also need to return a book, such as today, I'm happy that it's there. (It's great having library branches all over Vancouver, yet there isn't one near where I live!) The Oakridge branch is small, and I assume old, from its appearance, but it has everything that a library needs: WiFi, computers, power outlets, tables and chairs, bathrooms, and of course books and movies to borrow. While it may not have as much of a selection as the Central Library branch, it has a decent collection if you're just popping in to see what they have (I always find something worth borrowing), and you can order items from other branches anyway. Because it's smaller, it's less crowded than the Central Library, and it's actually easier to find a desk, power outlet, or computer to use, even though they have so few, due to the library's size. And it's quieter too. Despite being a small library, the Oakridge branch has decent hours and is open seven days a week (some smaller branches are closed one or two days a week), and is open until 9pm on Fridays, later than the Central branch, which closes at 6pm on Fridays (which has caused me many inconveniences, especially when I was a student). Two other things I like about the Oakridge branch over the Central branch is they don't have those stupid book return machines that are slow and make a two second task into a five minute ordeal, and I have never been verbally or sexually harassed by creeps, or gaslighted security guards (in fact, they don't have security guards here, standing around doing fuck all when you need help, and then accusing YOU of being the problem when you tell a creep to leave you alone.) A great little library that has everything you need, where you can hang out without being harassed. [Yelp collections: Libraries and Bookstores]

Located underground with access from the outside in Oakridge mall. Lighting is almost all…read moreartificial except for some natural light coming from the open stairwell area. While there is quite a bit of seating, it is almost all full with clientele and tutors. It notice that a lot of the libraries have a number of tutors working out of them, be nice if the library could make some money from their use of the public facilities. Staff are helpful, washrooms are huge but only 1 person at a time so can get backed up, and the access to the mall for snacks and free parking is appreciated.

This is the main (largest) branch of Burnaby Public Library, located next to Metropolis…read more Parking is plentiful in the underground lot. Not sure if it ever gets completely full, but I have never seen it happen. One thing to keep in mind that the gates close around 2000, which leads to the risk of getting one's car trapped overnight. There are also some metered spots on the surface. The place is fairly modern, but is a bit worn down from years of use. There are plenty of computer stations, and a nice atrium area with nice high windows. Lots of books inside too.

Look like the Burnaby Public Libarary was renovated sometime between Covid and now. It looks very…read morespacious and open. The inside was bright. On the weekend the library is super busy. The inside is super clean. The bathrooms are much more modern style and there is a cleaner cleaning it frequently.