Occupying an entire city block in downtown Vancouver, the Central Library is a nine-floor building with several terraces, a rooftop garden and even an amphitheatre.
It has more than enough space to support the city’s diverse community.
“We hope to provide the right book at the right time,” said Dawn Ibey, director, Central Library and Public Service. “Our goal is to support the love of reading.”
Ibey said a book is like an old or new friend, even a passing acquaintance that can serve different needs depending on the reader, saying “it hits the spot.”
“I don’t think the age of reading is over,” she said. “I see people approaching it differently. Reading on their phones, their tablets. Audio books, comics, newspapers. It is all reading. Our circulation remains very strong.”
There is no space for reading snobs, you read to feed your soul.
Dawn Ibey, director, Central Library and Public Service
Many newcomers use the library to learn English and French but there are books in many other languages like Arabic and Japanese.
“All reading is important,” she said, “Reading in your home language supports and amplifies that.”
Like many libraries across Canada, the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) does not charge fines for overdue materials.
“Somebody shouldn’t have to choose between buying a loaf of bread and taking out our books.” Ibey said.
Her favourite space – “a little microclimate”
The library is built around a grand staircase design which creates little nooks and spaces where people can be by themselves.
Ibey said the two outdoor terraces are her favourite.
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“One I call ‘the shady” and one I call ‘the sunny'” she said., “Patrons use our spaces all year round, it provides a little microclimate in the middle of the city.”
Regardless of where people read in the VPL, Ibey has a final message about genre and inclusion for all types of reading.
“There is no space for reading snobs,” she said, “You read to feed your soul.”
