I love this library. It is older, dated and doesn't have the lush feeling some do however the staff…read moreare always outstanding. So helpful with recommendations or tracking something down. The selection can be limited but I always order books on line and they show up here in a day or so. Lots of parking.

Not my favorite library by any means, but it does have convenience going for it…read more This library is a bit dungeon-y being a ground level location with few windows. The collection focuses on family-friendly items and there is little area to sit and read/work in the library. My boyfriend insists that every library has a "funny smell" yet this is the only location I'd truly say does smell funky. Mold perhaps? Stale air? Something's a bit off here and definitely sends me east to Kitsilano branch instead.

Great little library with a small but great selection of French books for kids. We had a lovely…read morehour catching up on J'aime lire magazines while my younger kids played with the toys available in the kid area.

Came here to catch up with a friend whom I haven't seen a long time ago. This is a neighboring…read morelibrary. I have to say I haven't been in a library for ages. Its quite small and it does have a good number of computer for public use near the front entrance. There is a section for kids. When you walk in the info center (librarian sitting) is facing the entrance. You can get help easily. But like I just said it is a small library so reading choices here are limited. Overall good experience. If you go further near the middle of the library there is a meeting area or sitting area with tables. Not bad

I am here at least once a month as I go to the Hillcrest community center often. It is located…read morewithin the center and you could take the elevator down from the center main entrance or take the stairs or enter from the outside. The library is small, so the selection can be limited. The categories are labeled clearly so you can go to your favorite section to browse. I like the computerized return system which is way more advanced than the surrounding municipals (looking at Burnaby and New Westminster). The parking lot is usually very crowded even on weekdays. The only time it is not so crowded is when the aquatic center is closed.

It's a pretty good library, not very busy. It's one of the smaller branches in comparison to some…read moreto the bigger ones like Central, Renfrew or Mount Pleasant. The selection there is fine, but not as good as some of the bigger branches.

Shout out to this gem of a local library. I've hosted and…read moreattended a few meetups here that have been successful and well organized. Most recently I requested holds on a few different library books and requested an inter library loan on another book. I was surprised when that book was available for me to pickup within a few days of the request. The book in question was The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown about the plight of the Donner party in the mid 1800s on their trek to California. I'm pleased that this library is now open seven days. You may not know that they provide $5 of free printing every month which comes in handy in a pinch! Plenty of parking underneath the library and close by and you can also transit here - bus stop is right out front and Edmonds skytrain is about a 10-15 minute walk down Edmonds street.

This is a poorly managed library…read more It is a small place and always short of seats. The management has carved out large areas for children use. This is good. But then there is a section next to kid's section, with three tables in it that can seat 12 people. That area is closed to all people and a sign says it is for children use with families. I have rarely seen anyone use it. It should be opened up for use on first come first served basis, including families. The meeting rooms are mostly empty too. Can we use that area? NO. It must remain empty. The windows bring in strong sunlight and one cannot see the computer screen. They do not install sun block curtains. But there are two janitors who sit idle 95% of the time doing nothing. The staff are super kind and courteous.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.