When it comes to life’s simple pleasures, few things are more satisfying than receiving something for free, whether it’s a prize, a gift, or a tasty sample at the local Costco.
Yet, another realm of free delights often goes overlooked: free resources and services offered by local public libraries.
North Vancouver City Library is one such public resource champion. It offers something for everyone, whether adults or children, citizens or permanent residents, or even those who have just arrived in the city.
“Many locals are unaware of the extensive resources available at their public libraries,” said Shideh Taleban, Community, Learning and Access Services Coordinator at North Vancouver City Library.
Beyond books, libraries offer free access to digital resources such as e-books, audiobooks, and platforms like LinkedIn Learning, which provides video tutorials and certificates in various skills, including computer software proficiency.
“Libraries offer services like Kanopy for streaming movies and TV shows and Creativebug for hobby-related tutorials. We also lend non-traditional items like video games, preloaded audiobook devices for kids, and even recording equipment for podcasts or promotional videos. Our libraries feature creation stations, digitization stations, and collaboration rooms equipped for various projects,” she added.
North Vancouver City Library hosts several programs tailored for newcomers.
It offers diverse materials in languages commonly spoken in the community, including Farsi, French, Spanish, Tagalog, Korean, and Chinese. These materials cover both fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Visitors can also expect a robust selection of English language learning (ELL) materials suitable for various skill levels.
“Our very popular ‘English Corner’ is a long-standing collaboration with the Baha’i community, running for over eight years,” Taleban said.
The library runs an ELL book club that meets bi-weekly and offers a mix of virtual and in-person sessions.
It also partners with Impact North Shore — a registered non-profit providing services for newcomers and inclusive community building — to promote English conversation circles for different needs, such as workplace communication and senior engagement.
The library’s collaborations with Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada provide newcomers with essential tax information. Moreover, in partnership with Canada Revenue Agency’s Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, they have offered a free Tax Clinic for low income families and individuals for the past three years."
It also works with MOSAIC BC, one of Canada’s largest settlement and employment services organizations, on monthly virtual citizenship test preparation workshops.
“Our digital library resources include ‘Road to IELTS’ for IELTS exam preparation, ‘Libby’ app for eBooks... ‘Mango Languages’ for learning multiple languages, ‘Solaro’ for educational support in English, math, and science, and ‘PressReader’ for accessing newspapers and magazines worldwide. We also offer a Persian book club, which meets monthly. These book clubs provide both educational and social opportunities,” Taleban added.
The library has a small grant program that encourages community members to propose inclusive programming ideas, fostering cross-cultural connections and understanding. Many newcomers have successfully utilized this grant to share their cultures.
The Open Door Community Hub is a unique program designed to share resources and provide meaningful referrals for individuals who are marginally housed or homeless. Funded by annual grants, it serves as a social space for newcomers. It operates twice a week and offers various programs and services such as haircuts, foot care clinics, and movie screenings, providing a space for relaxation and community integration.
The library has been screening Iranian documentaries with English subtitles for over a year now in collaboration with PELAN Group and the Blackout Art Society.
“These monthly screenings feature independent Iranian documentaries and attract a diverse audience, including non-Farsi speakers. The goal is to provide insight into Iran through the lens of documentary films, adding to the variety of programs we offer,” she said.
Taleban says North Vancouver City Library also holds cultural programs, including celebrations of Nowruz, Diwali, and the Mid-Autumn Festival and Indigenous history education tailored for newcomers.
“All our programs and services are free, and we no longer charge late fees. The only charges incurred are for lost items or unclaimed holds,” she added.
Regarding hurdles that prevent immigrants from fully utilizing library services, Taleban said, “Our programs are designed to be inclusive, without asking for any status, income, or gender information. However, challenges arise when partnering with organizations that have funding restrictions, such as NewToBC, which limits services to permanent residents, or Impact North Shore, which has similar limitations.
Despite this, our library strives to be accessible to all, though we face ongoing challenges with budget, space, and staff capacity.”
North Vancouver City Library involves the community through various initiatives.
“Our Small Grant Program allows members to propose and run programs with provided seed money. Our online suggested program proposal form lets anyone suggest new ideas." said Taleban.
"We also gather feedback from community interactions and conduct an annual survey, using this input to shape our strategic planning.”
The North Shore area has three different library systems.
The North Vancouver City Library, which consists of a single branch, serves the city. The North Vancouver District Public Library has three branches: Capilano Library, Lynn Valley Library, and Parkgate Library. Additionally, there is the West Vancouver Memorial Library. Each of these libraries operates independently, funded by their respective municipalities, resulting in differences in programs despite similar goals.
Library membership is free for anyone living in the Lower Mainland.
To apply for a library card, individuals need to provide a photo ID and proof of address. For newcomers who may not yet have a BC ID or driver’s license, a passport and any mail with their name, rental agreement, car insurance, or bank statement can be used as proof of address. Even those who have just arrived can register and receive a library card.
“I encourage everyone to come and use the library. We offer a wide range of free services beyond books, including puzzles, board games, and seeds for planting. We also have unique resources like hiking backpacks and bird-watching kits.”
So, the next time you delight in the thrill of a freebie, don’t forget that your library card unlocks a world of cost-free resources and experiences waiting for you to explore.
Fatemeh Falah is an intern reporter with the North Shore News. She can be contacted at [email protected].
