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.

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.

If you're interested in gardening, composting or growing food, you'll love it. In City Farmer you…read morecan hang out in a kitchen garden, a back-to-eden garden and a compost demonstration garden. The staff is completely devoted to making you appreciate the little things nature offers! They are very knowledgeable about urban farming (they've operated for 40 years!!!) and happy to share many tips!

Awesome, eh? My sister had heard about this place so we Yelp'ed it to see what it was about. We had…read more20 min. till close, but they still were very enthusiastic about giving us a tour. It was wet and rainy outside (not to mention cold, it was snowing in close by) but the staff (a girl from Europe) was really happy and attentive about her tour. You could see a lot of plant life (even in the off season) and they had composting option galore. The garden decor was super cute and most were "home made," recycled, or up-cycled. In addition to composts they have a children's garden section in the back that houses various "fairies" (seriously, it was cute, they had little houses built by different plants and the tour guide told the kids that they housed fairies, she was good with kids), and fruit, vegetables, and plants. They also have a section for group tours. She said they get a lot of children and school groups in the summer. They teach about worms, the compositing kind, and even let us play with a few (I pleasantly declined, but the kids loved it). They even have a built in kiln that they make home made pizza and breads in. They are very educational and do a great job about supporting sustainability, composting, and water conservancy. Its a must see for anyone in Vancouver. If not to tour, then to just walk around the garden.

After reading about the odd history of this square, how could I not visit this place…read more Too bad it was raining but the whole area here is very quiet despite the nice views, there's a few shops and salons and a parking lot. Some history here, the place is called as such due to a leg being found inside a boot a century or two ago. It was left in the town square hoping it's owner would come back to claim it.

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

While passing by this behemoth one night in December, the males I was walking with mistook the…read moreknees held against the sculpture's chest for a pair of boobs. Perhaps that has soured my experience with said behemoth, though only slightly, as I can now gaze upon it and smile at what could have been if only the artist were more boobily inclined. But really, it's intended to showcase the diversity of Vancouver with all its different letters and number making up a person. It's also fun to walk around in it.

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.

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.