Pilgrimage to Vancouver Public Library

 Photo from here.  

We just got back from a trip that ended in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  For more than 10 years now, I've wanted to visit the Vancouver Public Library (VPL).   What can I say? I'm a Librarian.  When I travel, I check out the local libraries.  ;-)   10 years ago, my boss at the time attended a library conference in Vancouver, and she sent back a post card from the VPL.    I still have that post card.  It's served as a beacon all these years ... until I could get there myself. 

"I'm here!  Finally ..."

The Vancouver Public Library is in a gorgeous building! Like the old Roman Colluseum, or a scroll unrolling ...  Not the usual boxy, boring cement monstrosity you might imagine for a government building.  All those curved window spaces are study carrels lining the outer walls of the building.  And they get used! 

We visited on a Saturday afternoon in June, and it was difficult to find an empty computer, chair, or study carrel. The place was hopping!   (By comparison, the public library in my own town is closed on summer Sundays because people are out and doing and not in the Library.  Maybe it has to do with the amount of rainfall in Vancouver--People are used to doing things inside--even in summer?  They only get about 6 weeks of sunshine in a typical year.)    Many English-as-a Second-Language students, some homeless people, regular people.  Lots of people using the public library.

There are shops in the atrium--even a Library Flower Shop!  There's also a conference center.  It's even been featured in movies!

My husband and I signed up for free internet access at the VPL.  I got a card that's good for 1 year!  You would not believe how proud I am of this card!  I got to take a little piece of VPL home with me. ;-)  I know what you're thinking : Geek!  Well--I'm proud of that identity, too!

We liked Vancouver so much we are planning to go back some day, and then I will renew my internet access there!

Want to know more?  Here's the Wikipedia entry.
See more pictures from the architect's website.