At Remitly, our main motivation is supporting immigrants. One invaluable resource for anyone looking to integrate into their community is the public library.
Libraries are a place for books, but they also offer community programming, classes, and events. Getting involved at your local library is a great way to get connected with your community. If you’re moving to Canada, here’s everything you need to know about libraries.
An introduction to libraries in Canada
Libraries are more than the sum of their parts—they go far beyond buildings and books. National libraries help to support the history of the country. Public libraries serve as community gathering spaces, both physical and virtual.
Libraries ensure equal access to information, knowledge, culture, and learning opportunities. There are plenty of ways that your library can serve you.
- Popular Materials: First and foremost, libraries provide a range of popular materials for you to access free of charge. These include books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and more.
- Career development and employment: Libraries often offer up-to-date resources on market trends and employment opportunities, especially if you’re looking for a local or community job.
- Newcomers’ resources: Many libraries offer language classes that will help you integrate into the local culture. They also have events that will help you connect with your new community.
- Government and community services: Keep up to date with government and community agencies. Many libraries have postings of events and local happenings. For example, you might get information on signing up for schools or registering to vote.
- Genealogy and family history: If you have relatives in Canada and want to dive deep into your family background and history, federal libraries are a good place to start. They’ll have records and documents that track immigration or important historical events that provide insight into your personal history.
Types of libraries
There are three main types of libraries in Canada. This article will largely focus on the public library system. However, it’s important to understand how these public libraries fit into the larger landscape of Canadian libraries.
- Federal or national libraries: Federal libraries serve all of Canada as a whole. As a result, these libraries are somewhat like museums. Although you can visit these places in person, they’re also accessible online. For example, the Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is a federal collection that helps Canadians gain a better understanding of who they are by keeping a documentary heritage of Canadian history. Within the LAC, you’ll find specific information about genealogy and heritage and the military. The Library of Parliament is related to the democratic functioning of Canada. It includes collections of current issue reviews, reading lists, and search tools.
- Private libraries: These are libraries that are not publicly funded. For example, the libraries of private universities would be considered “private.” As confusing as it may be, many private libraries are still open and accessible to the public. This usually means that you can walk into the library and use the space. You are also likely able to access the materials inside the library, although you will not be able to check out materials from a private library unless you are a member there.
- Public libraries: These institutions give members of the general public equal access to all of their materials. Public libraries offer a range of different physical and digital resources. They also provide educational programs and spaces for community gatherings. As of 2024, there are 642 public library systems in Canada with 3,305 individual branches. A library system refers to one or more libraries that use the same classification catalog for their materials. A library branch is one physical location of a library system.
The importance of libraries in Canadian culture
According to the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), Canadians visit the library over 100 million times per year. This puts visiting the library at the top of the list of leisure time activities for Canadians.
Libraries provide people in Canada with access to materials that drive popular culture, like books and movies. Plus, they act as community centres. Public libraries become a hub for Canadian neighbourhoods. In fact, the Halifax Central Library in Nova Scotia is nicknamed “the city’s living room.”
Here are the number of library service points in each Canadian province, from most to least:
- Ontario: 1,089
- Quebec: 1,035
- Alberta: 312
- Saskatchewan: 307
- British Columbia: 241
- Manitoba: 118
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 96
- Nova Scotia: 83
- New Brunswick: 66
- Prince Edward Island: 26
- Northwest Territories: 16
- Yukon: 15
- Nunavut: 11
Iconic libraries of Canada
If you do the math on the above list, you’ll know that there are over 3,000 library locations in Canada. Each one is special in its own way and serves as an anchor in its community. Here are a few stand-out public libraries in Canada and what they have to offer.
Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON
Ontario is the Canadian province with the most public library branches. Of those locations, the Toronto Reference Library is the largest and most visited branch and is the largest public reference library in Canada.
This library is called a “reference library” because most of its materials are for use only inside the building. The majority of the library’s collection cannot be checked out of the premises.
The Toronto Reference Library has an impressive white and red interior with curved walls and lots of natural light. The building is a beautiful space where you can come and engage with the community. A wide variety of events are held at the library, ranging from public reading events to crochet circles, entrepreneur information sessions, and citizenship education classes for newcomers and refugees.
Vancouver Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
There are 21 branches in the Vancouver Public Library System. The Central Library is the biggest of them all and occupies an entire city block.
This library is full of unique materials for the community to enjoy. They have an Indigenous Collection, board games, and zines for you to peruse. They offer materials in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, in addition to their English collections.
The Vancouver Central Library has outdoor gardens, reading rooms, meeting spaces, and a theatre. Some events taking place at the library include storytime for children, creative writing workshops, informational sessions on topics like hearing loss and anxiety, and resume writing clinics.
Calgary Central Library, 800 3 Street SE, Calgary, AB
The Calgary Public Library system has 21 different locations. The central branch is a beautiful, modern space. It has a warm and inviting interior with soft lighting and a wood-forward design. This library could double as an art museum. You’ll find interesting and inspiring pieces throughout the library, including a buffalo mural by indigenous artists.
The Calgary Central Library has silent study rooms and spaces specifically designed for kids and teens. If you’re new to the area, you can book a tour to learn about the space and understand the library’s different offerings.
This library branch offers educational lectures from industry professionals, interactive time for children, book launch events with contemporary authors, and film screenings.
Library accessibility and services
Now that you know what public libraries in Canada have to offer, how can you make sure that you’re accessing it all? The best way to get to know your local library is to go in person and chat with a librarian. They’ll be able to welcome you into the community and ensure that you’re up to date on all of the resources and events happening in the library and the neighbourhood. Here’s what you need to know about getting started at your local library in Canada.
Are public libraries free?
If you’re a resident of a city, you’ll have access to its public library system for free. You can borrow books and other materials free of charge. You’ll also have access to their services and programs, although some programs might have an associated additional fee.
Usually, you can only register with the library associated with your place of residence. You can enter and explore the public libraries of other towns and cities, but you won’t be able to sign up for a library card. However, thanks to interlibrary loans (when materials are shared between library systems), you can borrow materials from other libraries across Canada and have them delivered right to your local library.
How to access resources
The materials of public libraries are free to use within the building. However, if you’d like to bring materials home with you, you’ll have to check them out using your library card. Signing up for a library card is easy.
- Find your closest local library. You’ll only be able to sign up for a library card at your local library branch. You can find information about library locations on your city’s library system page, or use this helpful search tool.
- Provide a photo ID. A photo ID is necessary to check your identity. Most libraries will accept a passport, driver’s licence, provincial ID, status card, or residency card. Children under the age of 18 without any of these points of ID can likely show another form of photo ID, like a school ID.
- Provide proof of address. You’ll have to provide information that supports your place of residency. This can be a bank statement or a current utilities bill with your name and address on it.
Registering for a library card is a quick and easy process. Usually, you can join your local library in-person or online.
Resources for newcomers
Once you’ve joined your library, make sure that you are using it for all its worth! A great way to get involved at your local library is to explore their events and programming. It’s typical for libraries to have specific events for babies, children, and teens. Some libraries have events or programs for pregnant individuals.
If you’re a newcomer to Canada and you’re looking to brush up on your language skills, look no further than your library! Libraries often offer language learning programs. In Canada, the official languages are English and French. Your local library will likely offer classes in these or other languages.
Libraries offer other free classes and resources that can help support your transition to Canada as an immigrant, newcomer, or refugee. These sessions can help you learn about Canadian citizenship, child tax benefits, finding work, childcare, housing, and more.
Finding your library
If you’d like to find out more about libraries near you, use the search tool provided by the Canadian Library Directory. You can input your city in the search bar to find all libraries in the area. Alternatively, if you’re only interested in the public libraries, you can input your city and select “public” under library type.
As you search, remember that while each city might only have one library system, that system will likely have multiple branches. You can click on the result in the Canadian Library Directory to find out more about the library system. From there, you can click on the library system’s website to find different branches or locations and learn more about programs, events, and offerings.
FAQs
What is the most beautiful library in Canada?
This is a hard question to answer, because Canada is filled with beautiful libraries! If you’re looking for a library that is classic and transports you to another time, check out Canada’s Library of Parliament in Ontario. If you prefer something modern, you’ll love the clean lines and all-white look of the Maison de la Littérature in Quebec.
How should I cite Library and Archives Canada (LAC)?
Library and Archives Canada is the institution tasked with acquiring, preserving, and providing accessibility to the documentary history of Canada. If you use LAC material in your research, you have to properly cite it. The citation depends on what type of material you’re using.
How can I report a library closure or merger?
If there’s some activity with your local library that you’d like to report, like a closure or merger, you can do so on the Canadian government’s website.