Putting your library card to use in Victoria: getting a card, borrowing books, e-books, printing, learning English and Chinese-language resources

1. Which library serves Victoria, and who can get a free card

First, know which library it is. The public library in the Victoria area is called the Greater Victoria Public Library, or GVPL for short. It has 12 branches, and they all use the same library card: whichever branch you got your card at, you can use it at all the other branches; whichever branch you borrowed a book from, you can return it to any branch.

Who can get a free card. The GVPL website says that people who live in, or own property in, the following places can get a free card:

• Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria and View Royal;
• the eastern part of the Juan de Fuca electoral area (including Malahat and Willis Point);
• several First Nations in the service area: Songhees, Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and SC'IȺNEW (Beecher Bay).

Two other groups can also get a free card:

• owners and shareholders of businesses operating in the service area;
• students from kindergarten to Grade 12 who go to school in the service area, even if they live outside it; bring your student card (for example, a Go Card) when you apply.

The sentence at the very top of the GVPL library card page says that anyone who "lives, works, studies, or owns property" here can get a card, but the detailed list below it does not separately include people who only work here. If you live outside the service area and only work in Victoria, call GVPL to check before you go (the phone number is in section 14).

It depends on where you live, not on your immigration status. GVPL's conditions for a card are only about where you live (or whether you own property, run a business or go to elementary or secondary school here); they do not say you need permanent resident (PR) status. If you see the word resident on the application form, it is asking whether you live in its service area, not whether you are a permanent resident. If you have a work permit or study permit and live in one of the places above, you can also get a free card under the conditions on the website.

If you live outside the service area: buy a visitor card. If you live outside the service area and want to use GVPL's books and services, you can buy a visitor card at any branch. A visitor card gives you all of the library's services. The prices are:

If you live in another B.C. city and already have a card from another library, you can also get a BC OneCard; section 12 explains it in detail.

Do not make up an address just to get a card. The address you give must be real. You can get a card even without a fixed address (see the next section), so there is no need to invent one.

Related: for the things to do in your first three months after you land, see Guide No. 2, First 90 days.

2. What to bring to get a card, how to apply online, and cards for children

You can apply online first, or go straight to a branch.

• Online: On the GVPL library card page, click "Apply online". When you finish, you immediately get a temporary digital library card, which you can use right away to borrow e-books and audiobooks and to place holds on up to 2 physical books. This temporary card expires after 30 days. To keep using it, bring your ID to any branch within 30 days and exchange it for a regular card.
• At a branch: Go to the service desk at any branch and say you would like to get a library card.

Bring two things:

1. one piece of government-issued ID;
2. one proof of your current address.

If your ID does not show your address, bring a separate document that shows it. The website states that people who do not have an address can also get a card.

Which ID counts. GVPL accepts many kinds of government ID. The examples on its website include the BC Services Card, a driver's licence, the BC ID, the BC CareCard, a passport, a birth certificate, a Status Card and other government-issued ID. Expired ID is also accepted for up to three years after it expired. Bring originals if you can.

You can choose the name printed on your library card, but staff still need to see your ID to confirm that you are who you say you are.

Which documents prove your address. Printed papers, photos of documents and PDF e-bills are all accepted. The examples on the website include:

• a personal cheque;
• a utility bill, such as BC Hydro;
• a phone or cable TV bill, such as Telus or Rogers;
• a letter from the government, such as a tax notice or an ICBC vehicle registration;
• a rental agreement.

For the complete list of ID, there is a link called "View the full list of acceptable ID" on the GVPL library card page.

Just arrived and do not yet have the usual ID or proof of address. Exchange students, newcomers and refugees who do not yet have government ID or proof of address can ask their host family or sponsor to fill in GVPL's "Address Verification Form" to confirm that they live in the service area. You can find the form on the library card page.

If your ID has been lost and you need to apply for or replace a birth certificate, a BC Services Card or a BC ID (BCID), there is an ID Clinic once a month at Central; see section 8.

Getting a card for a child. Children aged 13 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get a card.

• If the child is there in person, no ID is needed;
• If the child is not there, bring the child's government ID, plus your own ID or your GVPL library card;
• A child's card works the same as a regular card, except that it cannot be used to borrow age-restricted items, such as some films, TV series and video games;
• The parent or guardian is responsible for returning what the child borrows, and pays any fees for items that are lost or damaged.

How long your card lasts. A library card is valid for three years. If you have an email address on your account and have turned on email notices, you will get an email saying "time to renew your library account" one month before it expires. To renew, bring your ID to any branch.

If you lose your card. If your card is lost or you think it has been stolen, contact GVPL right away. They will help protect your account and replace your card for free.

If you cannot get to a branch yourself. If you cannot come in because of illness or limited mobility, you can fill in the "Library Card Designate Authorization Form" so that someone you trust can get or renew a card for you.

Once you have your card, do these things on the spot:

• Write down your card number, and ask how to set the password you will use to log in;
• Log in to your account once on your phone right there, to make sure it works;
• Check that the email address on your account is correct; when a hold arrives, the notice goes to this email;
• Choose the branch where you usually want to pick up books.

If you forget your password: on the login page, click "Forgot My Password" and enter your card number. GVPL will send you an email; click the link in it to set a new password.

You could say:

• "Hi, I'd like to get a library card. I live in Saanich."
• "Here is my passport, and this is my BC Hydro bill for my address."
• "I just arrived and don't have proof of address yet. What can I do?"

3. Borrowing, holds and renewals: first learn to search the catalogue

Start with the catalogue. Everything the library has can be found in its online catalogue, and there is a search box on the GVPL home page. You can search by title or author. When you find something, check three things:

• what language it is in;
• whether it is a print book, an e-book, an audiobook or a large-print edition (the cover may look the same while the format is different, so do not pick the wrong one);
• which branch it is at now, and whether it is on the shelf.

Holds. If the book you want is at another branch, or someone has borrowed it for now, you can place a hold in the catalogue and choose which branch to pick it up from. When the book arrives, GVPL will email or phone you. After you are notified, you have 5 days to pick it up, so do not let those 5 days go by.

A few common tasks are all under "holds" once you log in to your account:

• see your place in the queue;
• change the pickup branch;
• suspend a hold (for example, while you are travelling, by entering a start date and an end date);
• cancel a hold.

To change your usual default pickup branch: log in to your account, click "personal information", then "preferences", change "preferred pickup library", and finally click "update".

Loan periods and limits (adults). One card can have up to 60 items checked out at the same time. The common ones:

Loan periods for children's and teen items are mostly the same; the only difference is that children's and teen Fastreads are 14 days.

What Fastreads and Fastviews are. These are GVPL's "Fast Collection": popular new books and films that you can borrow without waiting in a queue. If you see one on the shelf, you can take it, first come, first served; but the loan period is short, and you cannot place holds on them or renew them. You can borrow a Fastreads copy to read for now, and at the same time place a hold on the regular copy of the same book.

Renewals. Items that can be renewed are renewed automatically 2 days before they are due, up to 2 times. You can also renew them yourself ahead of time: log in to your account, click "checkouts", then "library checkouts", and tick the items you want to renew. You can also renew by phone: call 250-940-4875 and press 2.

Not everything can be renewed. Fastreads, Fastviews, magazines and interlibrary loan books cannot be renewed. Whether an item can be renewed, and what its due date is, go by what your account shows.

Notices. 2 days before items are due, GVPL emails you to tell you which items are almost due and which have been renewed automatically (this notice is by email only). On the 2nd, 7th and 14th day after an item becomes overdue, you will get a reminder by email or phone. To switch to text message notices: log in to your account, click "personal information", then "SMS notifications", and add your phone number.

GVPL's notice emails come from noreply@gvpl.ca or sirsi@gvpl.sirsidynix.net. Add these two addresses to your email contacts, or to your "safe senders" list (also called a whitelist), so that they do not end up in your junk mail.

Returning items. You can return GVPL's physical books and discs to any branch at any time.

A small tip: the "pickup deadline" after a hold arrives and the "due date" after you borrow something are two different things. The first means you must pick the item up within 5 days of the notice; the second is how many days you have before you must return it. Putting both dates into reminders on your phone saves the most worry.

You could say:

• "Can I pick this book up at my local branch?"
• "How long can I keep this, and can I renew it?"

4. If something is late, lost or damaged

No fines for late returns, but after 21 days overdue an item counts as lost. Since 2024, GVPL has not charged overdue fines, so you will not be fined for returning something a few days late. But once an item is more than 21 days overdue, GVPL treats it as lost and charges you a replacement fee. Until the replacement fee is paid, you may not be allowed to borrow anything else.

You also pay if something is damaged. If an item comes back so damaged that it cannot be lent to anyone else, you will also be charged a replacement fee. GVPL does not accept other books in place of a replacement fee.

When your account is blocked. If you have more than 10 overdue items, or owe more than $40, your account will be blocked from borrowing; you need to return the items or pay down what you owe before you can borrow again.

How to pay. Online: log in to your account and pay with a credit card or Visa Debit. At a branch: cash, debit card, credit card and cheque are all accepted.

Not getting a reminder is no excuse. GVPL states that not receiving a notice does not change your responsibility to return items and pay replacement fees. So it is best to keep track of your due dates yourself.

If it is already late. Do not keep putting it off because you are afraid of being charged. Take the item to any branch, hand it to the staff, and explain what happened. The GVPL website does not say what happens to the fee if an item is found after it has been counted as lost, so bring the item to the front desk and ask.

You could say:

• "This book is overdue. I'm sorry. Can you check my account?"
• "I found the book I thought was lost. What happens to the fee?"

5. Books the library does not have: interlibrary loan and suggesting a title

Interlibrary loan. If GVPL does not have a book, you can ask it to borrow the book from another library in B.C. This is a special request, and the loan period and return rules are different from regular books. GVPL says it will do its best but cannot guarantee that every book can be borrowed; it depends on whether the other library has it.

You can request one if:

• GVPL itself does not have the book. Search the catalogue first; if you are not sure, contact GVPL and ask them to check for you. If GVPL has the book but not in the format you need, you may be able to request it, for example if GVPL only has the e-book and you want a print copy, or if you want a large-print edition.
• Your account is not blocked. If you have more than 10 overdue items, or owe more than $40, you cannot borrow interlibrary loan books.
• The book was published at least two years ago. Books published this year or last year cannot be requested. If you request in 2026, choose a book published in 2024 or earlier; in 2027, it must have been published in 2025 or earlier.
• No audio-visual items. DVDs, CDs and video games cannot be requested. There is only one exception: people registered with a print disability (see section 11) can request audiobooks.

How to request. GVPL uses a system called Illume for interlibrary loans; it is a shared catalogue of the public libraries taking part in B.C. On GVPL's interlibrary loan page, click "Visit Illume", search for the book you want, and submit a request.

• You can request up to 5 books at a time;
• It may take several weeks, so do not count on it for a textbook you need urgently;
• If a request has not been filled after three months, it expires automatically, and you can request again;
• To cancel, you need to contact GVPL; if you cancel after the book has already arrived, you may have to wait three months before you can request that book again;
• When the book arrives, GVPL will send you an email with the subject "Library Notice: items ready for pickup"; pick it up at the service desk of the branch you chose;
• Interlibrary loan books are lent for 21 days and cannot be renewed.

Suggest a title. If you would like the library to buy a book or a film, you can fill in GVPL's suggestion form.

• Each person can suggest up to 10 titles per calendar month;
• You will be told the decision within four weeks;
• You can only suggest titles that have already been published;
• There is no need to suggest books by bestselling authors, or the next book in a series you have been borrowing; the library already keeps an eye on these;
• Titles that are out of print cannot be bought; you can try interlibrary loan instead;
• GVPL receives so many suggestions that it does not answer questions about why it did or did not buy something.

When you ask, bring: the title, the author, the ISBN (the string of numbers on the back of the book), and the language and edition you want.

You could say:

• "The library doesn't have this book. Can I request it through interlibrary loan?"

6. Borrowing e-books and audiobooks, watching films and reading newspapers on your phone

Start from the library's website. With a GVPL library card, you can use more than 30 digital resources for free: e-books, audiobooks, magazines, films, music, newspapers and learning websites. Some of them can be borrowed directly in the catalogue, and others are used on their own websites or apps. GVPL states that you need to go in through the special links it provides, so that the platform can recognize you as a GVPL member.

So the safest way is to open GVPL's "Digital library" page, find the platform you want, and click through from there. If you go straight to a platform's website from a search engine, it may not recognize you as a library member and may ask you to subscribe or pay. If you are asked to pay or to add a credit card, stop and go back to the GVPL page to click through again.

What you need. Your library card number and password, plus an email address (some platforms need you to set up a separate account with your email). Your library account and a platform's account do not necessarily use the same password.

Phones, tablets and e-readers. Most phones and tablets, and many e-readers, will work. GVPL notes that apps and software change, and some devices may not work or may need updating. If you use a Kobo e-reader, the Libby page has instructions for it. If you plan to buy an e-reader to borrow e-books, ask GVPL first.

A privacy note. GVPL states that most of these digital platforms are run by third-party companies whose servers are in the United States or elsewhere outside Canada. When you open an account, your email address, password, library card number and last login date may be stored outside Canada. Opening an account means you agree to that company's privacy terms.

The four most used platforms (GVPL website, November 4, 2026):

A few things that are easy to misunderstand:

• Kanopy's "20 tickets a month" does not mean "20 films a month"; one film may need several tickets.
• Hoopla films last only 48 or 72 hours, so do not borrow one on a day you have no time to watch, or you will waste one of your borrows.
• Books you borrow in Libby are returned automatically when they are due, so you do not need to do anything; you can also return them early when you finish, to free up a spot for something else.
• In PressReader, The Globe and Mail can only be read inside GVPL branches. The current issue of The Economist can only be downloaded in the app for 24 hours.
• For the local newspaper, the Times Colonist: PressReader has the latest 30 issues; for older issues, see "Digital Times Colonist" (2011 to two weeks ago) and "BC Historical Newspapers" (1884 to 2010).

New in Libby: with your GVPL card, you can now also borrow the e-books and audiobooks that are available right away from Fraser Valley Regional Library and Okanagan Regional Library.

Using Libby for the first time:

1. Download the app from GVPL's Libby page (it is available for both Apple and Android);
2. Open the app and, when it asks you to find your library, choose Greater Victoria Public Library;
3. Log in with your library card number and password;
4. Search for a book, and check its language and format (e-book or audiobook);
5. If you see "Borrow", you can borrow it now; if there is only a hold button, you will have to wait in a queue;
6. Once you have borrowed it, flip through a few pages first and try the font size and brightness; for an audiobook, try the playback speed;
7. Before you go out, open it once at home to make sure it has downloaded, so you can read it on the way even without Internet.

If you want something to read right away, look for the fast-loan e-books (Digital Fastreads); there is no waiting for these.

If you cannot figure it out. GVPL has online video tutorials (Niche Academy) for every platform, covering how to download the app, log in and borrow. If you still cannot do it, you can ask the staff at any branch for help, with no appointment needed. Some branches also have a "Tech Café": bring your phone, tablet or Kobo, and they will show you how to use it and look at any problems on the spot; check the program calendar for times.

You could say:

• "Does my card include online resources I can use at home?"
• "Could you help me set up Libby on my phone?"

7. Where to find Chinese books and Chinese-language resources

Chinese print books (both Simplified and Traditional). The branches listed on the GVPL website are:

• Chinese books for adults: Bruce Hutchison, Central, Emily Carr, Juan de Fuca, Nellie McClung Express and Saanich Centennial;
• Chinese books for children: the branches above, plus Esquimalt and Oak Bay.

Not every branch has Chinese books, and some branches do not have many. The easiest way is to set the language to "Chinese" in the catalogue, see which branch has the book, place a hold online, and have it sent to a branch near your home for you to pick up.

Bilingual books for children. GVPL branches have a Bilingual section with children's books in English plus another language.

Chinese e-books. Libby has Chinese e-books (GVPL says Libby's e-books are in English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and German, and its audiobooks only in English and French). In the catalogue, set the format to e-book and the language to Chinese to find them.

Chinese magazines: DragonSource. More than 1,000 Chinese magazines that you can page through from cover to cover just like print; you can also search for articles, download and print them, and some can be listened to. The examples GVPL gives include Beijing Wenxue, Shiyue and Dangdai Xiaoshuo. You can read back issues up to one year old, as often as you like. Log in with your library card.

Chinese newspapers. PressReader has newspapers from China; the example GVPL gives is the Shanghai Daily. International Newsstream lets you search articles from hundreds of foreign newspapers; the examples GVPL gives include the China Daily.

Chinese stories for children: LOTE4Kids. Audio picture books in more than 100 languages, read aloud by people who speak each language, with English translations and on-screen text that follows along; children can watch on their own or with an adult. ⚠️ GVPL states that this is a trial that runs until December 31, 2026; check the GVPL page then to see whether it continues.

Language story kits for little ones. GVPL's "Stories to Go" kits are for children aged 0 to 5: each kit has a few books, a booklet of songs and rhymes, and a puppet. GVPL states that there are also versions in French and other languages. The loan period is 21 days.

English for adults: Transparent Language. This is a language learning website with courses in more than 140 languages; its English courses come in versions for 47 different languages. Whether Chinese is one of them, you can see when you choose a language after logging in. ⚠️ This is also a trial, until December 31, 2026.

You could say:

• "Do you have Chinese books for adults or children at this branch?"
• "I'm looking for books in Simplified Chinese." (For Traditional Chinese, say "Traditional Chinese".)

8. Practising English, newcomer services and free programs

All of GVPL's programs are on its program calendar (events.gvpl.ca), where you can filter by branch, date and age. Below are the programs listed on the GVPL website on November 4, 2026 that matter most to people who have just arrived. Times often change, so always check the calendar again before you go.

Common words on program pages:

• Drop-in: no registration needed; just go at the time;
• Registration required / Register: you need to register first;
• Space is limited: there are a limited number of spots, so if you are late it may be full;
• Waitlist: the waiting list.

If you registered but cannot go, cancel the way the notice explains, so that someone on the waitlist can take your place.

English Corner. A relaxed English conversation group, offered free by the Colibri Learning Foundation, for newcomers to practise English and make friends. The GVPL calendar currently lists it every Tuesday from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca branch, with sessions listed up to December 15.

BCNSP English conversation classes. English conversation classes run jointly by GVPL and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS), as part of the BC Newcomer Services Program (BCNSP). The GVPL calendar currently lists them every Monday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at Central, and every Wednesday from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca branch. ⚠️ Having a library card is not enough to join: the GVPL page states that you must first contact BCNSP to confirm whether you are eligible. The registration and inquiry email given on the GVPL program calendar is esl@vircs.bc.ca.

Who BCNSP is for. The B.C. government's WelcomeBC website (updated August 24, 2026) lists these groups:

• temporary foreign workers with a valid work permit;
• international students with a study permit at a college or university (whose own school does not offer this kind of service);
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominees who have been nominated and are waiting for a decision on permanent residence (PR);
• naturalized Canadian citizens, that is, people who came to Canada as immigrants and are now Canadian citizens (the GVPL page says within 10 years of becoming a citizen);
• displaced Ukrainians (including immediate family members) with valid Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visas;
• refugee claimants (the VIRCS BCNSP page says this means people who have submitted their refugee claim and have received any of these documents: a Confirmation of Referral letter (CoRL), an Acknowledgement of Claim (AOC), a Refugee Protection Claim Document (RPCD), or a Client Application Summary after submitting a claim online; the BC Safe Haven program offers them more help).

Note: people who are already permanent residents (PR) are not on this list; the other option GVPL lists for newcomers and refugees is the other services of the Inter-Cultural Association (ICA), described below. BCNSP can help with finding work and volunteer opportunities, immigration matters, learning about social assistance and other government services, practising English, and connecting with the community, schools and places to see a doctor. Whether you can actually use it is up to the service provider's assessment.

Who delivers BCNSP in Greater Victoria. WelcomeBC's table of service providers lists these two for Victoria, Saanich, Sooke and Westshore: the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA, 250-388-4728) and VIRCS (250-361-9433); for Sidney it lists only VIRCS. Places such as Langford and Colwood are not listed separately, so if you live there, call either of them to ask.

Newcomer information table (VIRCS BC Newcomer Services Information Table). Staff from the newcomer service agency set up an information table at the library; no appointment is needed, just go and ask. The current times on the GVPL calendar are:

• Juan de Fuca branch: Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.;
• Saanich Centennial branch: Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Bruce Hutchison branch: Tuesdays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To find out more or to register, email bcnsp@vircs.bc.ca or call 250-361-9433. VIRCS's own office is at 1004 North Park Street, Victoria, BC V8T 1C6.

Inter-Cultural Association (ICA). The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria helps newcomers and refugees settle, and has been working in Victoria for more than 50 years. The services listed on the GVPL page include help finding work, health information, housing information, English language assessments and classes, and help for survivors of gender-based violence; it also helps people prepare for the citizenship test and interview. Phone: 250-388-4728.

Other newcomer resources listed on GVPL pages:

• WorkBC: a government job search website; library staff can help you use it;
• Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants: a government-funded program that helps immigrants with professional skills keep working in their field in Canada;
• LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada): free English classes for adult newcomers; whether you can join depends on LINC's rules;
• Racist Incident Helpline: if you experience or witness racism, call 1-833-457-5463 (1-833-HLP-LINE). It is free and confidential, and available in many languages.

ID Clinic. Once a month at Central, with no appointment needed, run by the Community Social Planning Council, to help people apply for or replace a birth certificate, a BC Services Card, a BC ID (BCID) or a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS). The GVPL page does not give the exact dates; check the program calendar.

Learning computers and avoiding online scams: Digital Basics and Online Safety. Run jointly by the Digital Bridge Society and Victoria Literacy Connection, it teaches adults to use computers and phones and to protect themselves online. The GVPL page lists sessions on November 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Saturdays) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Central. Registration is required; the registration link is on the program's page.

Preparing for IELTS: Road to IELTS. GVPL offers Road to IELTS General (General Training), for people who need to take IELTS to study, immigrate or work; it does not offer Academic. The number of people who can use it at the same time is limited, so if you cannot get in, try again a little later. ⚠️ Trial until December 31, 2026.

Listening practice: Mauril. It uses CBC and Radio-Canada programs to practise listening in English or French. You do not need a library card; you just set up an account with your email address. For English and French, you need two different email addresses, one account each.

Workplace skills: LinkedIn Learning. Thousands of video courses on office software, business, design and more; log in with your library card. If you want to use the app, first set up your account on the website; when the app asks for the library code, enter gvpl.

Looking for work or information: ask a librarian. GVPL states that staff can help you find information, look for work and research your family history. Be specific when you ask; it works much better than "I want to find a job". For example:

• "I want to save my résumé as a PDF."
• "Is there a free course to learn Excel?"

Library courses can help you learn, but a course completion certificate is not a professional licence; whether an employer accepts it is up to the employer.

With children: storytimes and children's programs. GVPL branches have many free children's programs; most need no registration, you just go, and spots are limited:

• Baby Time with Stay & Play: for babies from 0 to 15 months; adults learn songs and finger plays with their babies, followed by 30 minutes of free play;
• Family Storytime with Stay & Play: for young children and their families, with stories, songs and puppets, followed by free play; children must be with an adult;
• Kids Drop-In, Lego at the Library, Robot Mouse Challenge and more: beginner activities for building with Lego, doing crafts and learning to code.

GVPL states that adults must stay in the library for the whole time of all children's programs.

For students in Grades 3 to 12, there is SOLARO: English, math and science lessons, reviews and practice questions based on the B.C. curriculum; log in with your library card. ⚠️ Also a trial, until December 31, 2026.

Free tax clinics. The GVPL website does not currently list any tax clinics. If you want free help with your tax return during tax season, use the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) "Find a free tax clinic" search page to find a clinic near your address. These clinics are run by community organizations through the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), and are only for people with a modest income and a simple tax situation. The income guidelines the CRA gives are a total family income for the year of under $40,000 for one person, under $55,000 for two people, under $60,000 for three people, under $65,000 for four people and under $70,000 for five people, plus $5,000 for each additional person; each organization may adjust these to local conditions. If you have self-employment income, run a business, rent out property, have more than $1,200 in interest, made or lost money selling shares, funds, a house or similar (capital gains or losses), need to file Form T1135 to report foreign property, or have foreign income (except U.S. Social Security), the clinics generally will not prepare your return (there is a very small exception for self-employment income; see the CRA page). What to bring: government-issued photo ID, your social insurance number (SIN) or temporary SIN, all your tax slips and receipts, and, if you can, last year's Notice of Assessment.

You could say:

• "I'm a beginner in English. Can I join this program?"
• "Do I need to register for this program?"
• "Is there any requirement for immigration status?"

Related: for your child's school registration and school district, see Guide No. 4, School years; if you need to phone the federal government about passports, immigration status and similar matters, see Guide No. 7, Phone directory; if you want to file your own taxes for free, see Guide No. 37, Free filing with CRA SimpleFile, for who can use the CRA's SimpleFile service and how; for step-by-step instructions on finding a free tax clinic in Victoria with the CRA search page, see section 11 of that guide.

9. Computers, printing, photocopying, Wi-Fi and study rooms

First, a change that has just taken effect: colour printing has stopped. In a notice on October 28, 2026, GVPL announced that from November 3 (a Tuesday), no branch offers colour printing or colour photocopying any more. Black-and-white printing and photocopying continue as usual. The reason is that colour printing costs much more than black and white, and made up most of GVPL's printing costs. If you need something printed in colour, or need a lot of pages printed, you can ask staff to suggest other print shops in the community. If you still see old pages or old screenshots online saying colour printing is available, go by this notice.

Black-and-white printing and photocopying: 25 free pages per person per day.

• You need your library card;
• You can only print from library computers; you cannot connect your own phone or computer directly to the printer;
• Photocopying does not need a computer;
• Scanning is not available at the moment (as stated on GVPL's FAQ page);
• Like the computers, the printers shut down 15 minutes before the library closes.

Before you print, look at the print preview, check the number of pages and whether it is single- or double-sided, and print one page as a test first, so you do not use up all 25 pages at once.

Using computers.

• Every branch has free public computers; you need your library card;
• You can use one without booking; just sit down when you see a free one;
• If you want to make sure you get a computer, you can book one, for one hour at a time; you can book up to one week ahead, by phone or with staff at any branch; you cannot book online yourself;
• If you are not there within 10 minutes of your booked time, the computer may be given to someone else;
• If no one has booked it and no one is waiting, you can extend your time;
• Express computers cannot be booked; they are first come, first served, for 15 minutes each time;
• Every branch has at least one accessible computer, which may have an adjustable-height desk, a large-print keyboard and an ergonomic mouse;
• Computers and printers both shut down 15 minutes before the library closes, so if you are in a hurry to get something done, allow for those 15 minutes.

Wi-Fi. All branches have free Wi-Fi; just connect with your own phone, tablet or computer. GVPL reminds you that this is a public network, so be careful when entering personal information or clicking links you do not recognize.

Study rooms and pods. Quiet spaces where you can study, hold a small meeting, take an online class or have a remote interview.

• They can only be booked for the same day, at a branch service desk, for up to two hours;
• If you have not arrived 15 minutes after your booked time, the room is given to someone else;
• If you need to book ahead because of a disability, contact GVPL or tell the branch staff, and they will try to help;
• Not every branch has them. Branches with study rooms: Central, Esquimalt, Emily Carr, Juan de Fuca, Saanich Centennial, Langford Heritage and James Bay (sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay). Branches with study pods: Central, Esquimalt and Juan de Fuca.

If you want to do a video interview in a study room, first ask whether you can talk in the room, whether the Internet connection is good and whether there is a power outlet; bring your own headphones, and keep another way to contact the employer. A study room is quiet, but that does not mean it is fully soundproof, so for an important interview, do not decide based on just one photo.

When you finish on a public computer, remember to wrap up:

• First save your files somewhere you can get them back from, and check that they are saved;
• Log out of your email, cloud storage and all other accounts;
• Take your printouts, originals and USB drive with you;
• When you ask staff for help, type your passwords and phone verification codes yourself.

You could say:

• "Could you show me how to print this PDF?"
• "Can I book a computer for tomorrow at 2 p.m.?"
• "Is a study room available today? I need it for two hours."

10. Converting old photos and videotapes to digital files: The Lab at the Esquimalt branch

If you have old photos, cassette tapes or home videotapes that you want to turn into digital files to pass on to your children, do not rush out to buy a whole set of equipment. GVPL's digitization studio, "The Lab: Preserve Your Past", is free, and you can do the conversion yourself.

Where and when. It is only at the Esquimalt branch (101-503 Park Place); other branches do not have it. It is open Monday to Friday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

You must book ahead:

• You need a library card to book;
• No drop-ins and no same-day bookings;
• Bookings are by the hour, up to 3 hours at a time;
• You can book only one station at a time: either the audio-video station or the scanning station, not both;
• You can book up to two weeks ahead, by phone, by email or at the Esquimalt branch (the phone number and email address are GVPL's customer service line, 250-940-4875, and comments-questions@gvpl.ca, as in section 14);
• If you have any disability-related needs, mention them when you book.

What you can convert:

• Audio-video station: audio cassettes; VHS, VHS-C, MiniDV, Hi8 and Digital8 home videotapes;
• Scanning station: printed photos, slides and negatives; paper documents.

Before you book, say clearly which kind you are bringing, to make sure the equipment matches.

What to bring:

• A USB drive or external hard drive of at least 32 GB, to save the converted files to directly (you can also save them to your own cloud storage);
• For audio conversions, a pair of wired headphones with a plug.

To protect your privacy, GVPL deletes all files from the equipment after each session, so be sure to save them to your own device.

A few rules:

• You must be 10 or older to use it; children aged 10 to 14 must be with an adult;
• It is for personal material only: family photo albums, videos of important days in your family's life, unpublished manuscripts and recordings by you or your family, and newspaper clippings that feature you or your family are all fine;
• You cannot convert other people's films, music or books; converting newspapers or magazines in bulk is not allowed; businesses and organizations cannot use it for commercial purposes;
• Before you start, you must sign a waiver (Waiver of Release and Liability Form);
• The equipment can only be used in the library; if you damage it, you may have to pay for it, or may not be allowed to use it again.

For your first time, you can take an orientation first. The Lab Orientation explains how to use the equipment and software. You do not have to take it, but it will give you more confidence. It is held at the Esquimalt branch on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, for ages 10 and up, with children aged 10 to 14 accompanied by an adult; contact GVPL to register. The session does not include time to work on your own items.

If something is especially old or fragile, first ask staff whether it is suitable to put into the machines.

Before you go, write a short note with four lines: what you want to convert, roughly how long it is, what kind of file you want, and where the files will be saved. This works much better than a general "Can you help me with this?"

You could say:

• "I'd like to book The Lab to digitize some VHS tapes."

Related: for what you may and may not copy, see Guide No. 17, Copyright in Canada.

11. If reading print is hard or holding a book is difficult: you do not have to struggle with regular books

You can simply tell the staff: "The print is too small for me to read", "It is hard for me to keep holding a book" or "Do you have a version I can listen to?"

Formats GVPL has: large-print books, audiobooks on CD, digital audiobooks, dyslexia-friendly books, DAISY audiobooks (a kind of "digital talking book" that lets you skip lines, add bookmarks and change the reading speed), Victor Reader audiobook players (which you can borrow for three months), adaptive toy kits (toys that help children with sensory, physical or communication challenges learn through play) and more. All of these can be found in the catalogue and put on hold for pickup at any branch.

Accessibility features in e-books. Libby lets you change the font size, supports screen readers (software that reads the text on the screen aloud), has a dyslexia-friendly font, lets you change the playback speed, and has a night mode and high contrast. Hoopla has an OpenDyslexic font mode (a font that makes letters easier to recognize for people with dyslexia) and playback controls.

Registering a "print disability" gives you access to more resources. By print disability, GVPL means being unable to read regular print because of a physical reason, such as poor eyesight, blindness, dyslexia, a learning disability or difficulty holding a book; both temporary and long-term conditions count.

• Registering is simple: your own statement is enough, and no doctor's note is needed;
• Once registered, besides GVPL's own collection, you can use two national accessible libraries, CELA and NNELS, and borrow audiobooks from other B.C. libraries through interlibrary loan;
• Staff will help you connect to CELA and NNELS, explain the formats available, and show you how to use devices and apps;
• Contact GVPL or go to any branch to register.

This is registration for the library's reading services; it is a different matter from Canada's disability benefits and the disability tax credit (DTC), and registering does not mean you qualify for those.

If you cannot leave home. If you cannot come to the library for a long-term reason such as illness or limited mobility:

• You can fill in the "Library Card Designate Authorization Form" to authorize someone you trust to pick up your holds, renew items, manage your account, and get or renew your card for you;
• You can apply for "Holds Pick-Up on Demand": staff gather the items you want, and the person you have authorized picks them up; if needed, staff can also help choose books for you.

Accessibility at the library. GVPL lists: accessible entrances and ramps, accessible parking at most branches, wide aisles, automatic or push-button doors, accessible washrooms with grab bars, elevators in multi-level branches, adjustable-height service desks and self-checkout machines with audio. The specific features of each branch are listed on the branch pages.

If you are helping a family member, you do not need to decide for them first whether it is "serious enough"; describe the actual difficulties, and let the staff recommend what suits them.

You could say:

• "I need a large-print or audio version."
• "I'd like to register for print-accessible services."

Related: the disability tax credit is a different matter; see Guide No. 39, Disability tax credit (DTC).

12. Moving, or going to another city: can you still use your card?

Moving within Greater Victoria. If you move to another place within the service area, your card still works; remember to update the address and contact details on your account. GVPL states that some account details can only be changed by staff; if you see anything wrong, contact GVPL or go to a branch to change it.

BC OneCard: using your own card to borrow at other B.C. libraries. This is a B.C. government program (the provincial government's page was updated on June 2, 2026):

• With your local library's card, you can go to other public libraries in B.C. that take part in the program and borrow physical books in person;
• When you go, bring two things: a valid library card and ID showing your current address;
• It is not a single card for the whole province; each library sets its own rules, and what you can borrow and how many items differ from library to library;
• E-books, audiobooks and online databases are mostly only for residents of the library's own service area. The provincial government states that BC OneCard is mainly for borrowing physical books, and that each library decides whether people from outside its area can use its electronic resources, so you may not be able to use them;
• Some libraries sell full-service cards to people from outside their area; ask that library directly.

What a visitor with a BC OneCard can and cannot do at GVPL:

To get a BC OneCard at GVPL: go to any branch with your local library's card and valid ID showing your current address.

Moving to Vancouver. Vancouver is served by the Vancouver Public Library (VPL), which is a separate system from GVPL; accounts and electronic resources are separate, and your GVPL card counts as an out-of-area card there. For this guide, we were not able to read the VPL website this time and did not check VPL's rules for getting a card or its facilities, so check the VPL website or call them before you go.

Moving to another province: every city has different rules. Three examples (from each library's website, read on November 4, 2026):

• Toronto (Toronto Public Library): People who live, work, go to school or own property in Toronto, or who live on a First Nations reserve in Ontario, can get a free card. People aged 13 and over who live in Toronto can get a "Digital Access Card" online, for electronic resources only. People from outside who do not qualify can buy a non-resident card: $50 for 3 months, $150 for 12 months. A Toronto card can also be used to reserve "tpl:map" passes for free entry to museums and other places in Toronto (non-resident cards cannot be used for this).
• Calgary (Calgary Public Library): Membership is free, and you can join online or at a library. People who live on a First Nations reserve or a Métis Settlement in Alberta can get a full-service membership at a library. People who live elsewhere in Alberta where there is a library can borrow physical items with a TAL card or an ME card. People who live in Alberta in a place without a public library can buy a one-year non-resident membership for $112, and the whole family at the same address can get cards. ⚠️ People from outside Calgary cannot use any of Calgary's digital resources, such as e-books, online courses and films.
• Montréal (Bibliothèques de Montréal): People who live in Montréal's 19 boroughs (arrondissements) can join for free, for two years at a time; people who study full time in Montréal, work at certain organizations there, or own property there can also join for free. If you have just moved there and do not yet have proof of address, you can first get a 6-month temporary card at a library. Montréal's libraries also have the "Empruntez un musée" (borrow a museum) program: members can borrow museum passes for free visits. The city's 2024 news release says that only members aged 14 and over can borrow, one pass per card at a time, for three weeks, renewable up to three times; for which museums are included now, go by the libraries' page at the time.

Is there a museum pass program in Victoria? On November 4, 2026, we did not find a museum pass lending program on the GVPL website (the services pages, the program pages and the full list of site pages). Do not take a regular library card to a museum and ask for free entry; to find out whether there is a new program later, ask at the GVPL front desk.

You could say:

• "I have a library card from another B.C. library. Can I get a BC OneCard here?"
• "I just moved. Can you update my address?"

13. Where the branches are and when they are open

All 12 GVPL branches share the phone number 250-940-4875. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, they are all open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; on Tuesdays and Thursdays they also open at 10 a.m.; for closing times on those two days and for Sunday hours, see the table below (GVPL website, November 4, 2026):

So if you want to go to the library on a Sunday, only four branches are open, Central, Esquimalt, Juan de Fuca and Saanich Centennial, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Remaining closures and early closings in 2026:

• November 11 (Wednesday, Remembrance Day): closed;
• December 24 (Thursday, Christmas Eve): all branches close at 1 p.m.;
• December 25 (Friday, Christmas Day): closed;
• December 26 (Saturday, Boxing Day): closed;
• December 31 (Thursday, New Year's Eve): all branches close at 5 p.m.

For the 2027 closures, check the GVPL branches page when the time comes. At the very top of the branches page there is also a "GVPL alerts" bar (library notices); take a look before you head out, so you are not caught by a last-minute change.

14. Who to contact when you have a problem, and what to say

GVPL customer service: 250-940-4875. Someone answers from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. They can help with questions about study rooms (the rooms themselves must be booked on the same day at a branch service desk), booking The Lab, using the catalogue and the Digital library, managing holds, using assistive technology and interlibrary loans; you can ask them about anything to do with the library.

Email: comments-questions@gvpl.ca. Include your name and library card number for a faster reply. GVPL states that it replies within 1 to 2 days. After you send it, you will get an automatic confirmation email; remember to check your junk mail folder, and add @gvpl.ca to your email's "safe senders" list (also called a whitelist).

By mail: 735 Broughton St, Victoria, BC V8W 3H2 (GVPL administration office).

You can also go to any branch and talk to the staff at the Information desk.

Common situations and what to do:

• You cannot log in to e-books: first check that you chose the right library (Greater Victoria Public Library) and that your card number and password are correct; then check whether your card has expired, or whether your card can be used with that platform (for example, a BC OneCard cannot be used with Libby). Copy down the error message on the screen exactly, or take a screenshot, and show it to the staff. Do not rush to keep registering new accounts over and over.
• You cannot find Chinese books: show the staff the title or a photo of the cover, the author, whether you want Simplified or Traditional Chinese, and whether it is for an adult or a child, all together. First check whether it is in the catalogue, then think about placing a hold, choosing a different edition, suggesting a title or interlibrary loan.
• A program is full: ask whether there is a waitlist, when the next session is, and whether other branches have the same program. Do not take the dates on old program pages to be fixed every week.
• Your account is blocked: first check whether you have more than 10 overdue items or owe more than $40 (items more than 21 days overdue are counted as lost and charged a replacement fee); return the items or pay down what you owe, and you can borrow again. If you are not sure, call and ask.

A few sentences you can use as they are:

• "I live at this address. Which library card can I get?"
• "Does this card include online resources from home?"
• "Could you help me set up Libby on my phone?"
• "Can I pick this book up at my local branch?"
• "Do I need to register for this program?"
• "Could you show me how to print this PDF?"
• "I need a large-print or audio version."
• "I forgot my password. Can you help me reset it?"

15. Your first visit: do these few things and you are set

• Make sure where you live is in the GVPL service area, and check what time the branch you plan to visit opens that day (only four branches are open on Sundays);
• Bring one piece of government ID and one proof of address; if you have just arrived and do not have them, ask about the Address Verification Form first;
• Log in to your account once on the spot, write down your card number, and check your email address, your default pickup branch and when your card expires (it is valid for three years);
• Borrow one book you really want to read, or successfully open an e-book in Libby on your phone;
• Pick one useful service and try it once: printing, English Corner, the newcomer information table, a study room, or a children's storytime;
• Put your due dates and hold pickup deadlines (5 days after the notice) into reminders on your phone;
• When you finish on a public computer, log out of all accounts and take your files, originals and USB drive with you.

You do not need to work through every resource in one day. First pick one that you will really use this week, and use it successfully from start to finish once. Next time you go, the library will no longer be just a building you pass by; it will be the first place you think of when you need to get something done.

Related guides

• → No. 2 · First 90 days
  What to do in your first three months in Canada, in order: in the first week, your SIN, MSP health coverage, a bank account and a phone number; in the first month, your driver's licence and your child's school registration; and within three months, benefits and online accounts.
• → No. 4 · School years
  School in B.C.: how child care, preschool and the free StrongStart parent-child programs differ (section 2), who can go to public school without paying tuition, the five steps to register, and how to prepare for high school credits and university applications.
• → No. 7 · Phone directory
  How to find Government of Canada phone lines, what to prepare before you call and what to do if you cannot get through; which numbers to call about taxes and benefits, immigration status and passports, and dental care and disability benefits.
• → No. 37 · Free filing with CRA SimpleFile
  Who can use the CRA's free SimpleFile service by phone, online or on paper, and how; and if you cannot use it, how to look up a free tax clinic (CVITP) in Victoria and what to bring (section 11).
• → No. 17 · Copyright in Canada
  What permission you need to use music in videos, other people's images and fonts, or music in a shop; the legal exceptions for quoting, commenting and remixing; and how to read a copyright notice you receive.
• → No. 39 · Disability tax credit (DTC)
  What the disability tax credit (DTC) is, how the nine categories of daily activities are assessed and how to apply, and what else you can get once it is approved, such as the Canada Disability Benefit and the RDSP; you may qualify even if you can walk and work.

Main official links in this guide

All the web addresses used in this guide are listed here, grouped by organization; the end of each section also lists the ones for that section. The pages of the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) website, the B.C. government's BC OneCard page, WelcomeBC's BCNSP page, the CRA's free tax clinic page, and the pages of the Toronto, Calgary and Montréal libraries were all opened and read on November 4, 2026. A few could not be read this time, so this guide says plainly that they were not checked, or only gives what GVPL's own pages say: the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) website; GVPL's catalogue and program calendar (program times are taken from GVPL's individual program pages); the LINC website; and several GVPL PDF forms (this guide only gives their names, not what is in them).

Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL): cards, borrowing and contact

GVPL: digital resources

GVPL: Chinese and other languages, children

GVPL: programs and newcomer services

GVPL: computers, printing, The Lab and accessibility

B.C. government and Government of Canada

Newcomer and accessibility service organizations

Libraries in other provinces (examples)