*** WELCOME TO GREATER VICTORIA PUBLIC LIBRARY ***
Serving the Community Since 1889
We are very pleased to welcome the residents of the Municipalities of
Colwood, Highlands, Langford and Metchosin as full partners in the
Greater Victoria Public Library System. Effective January 1, 1996, all
residents of these Municipalities are entitled to full GVPL Library Service.
A temporary Branch has been set up in the same building which houses the
Royal Roads University Library. Please refer to the file which lists Library
hours for addresses and times for this and other Branches.
*** COLLECTIONS
> Over 450,000 books for adults and children
> Paperbacks, newspapers, magazines
> CDs, audio cassettes, music scores
> 16mm films, VHS videos
> Clipping and pamphlet files
> Government Documents, including Municipal, Provincial, and
Federal including many Statistics Canada series
> Business and financial information
> Consumer information
> Maps and atlases
> World wide telephone directories
> Local history and genealogy
> Non-English language books and magazines
> French materials for adults and youth
> Literacy materials
> Societies file with information on local clubs and organizations
> Public access Free-Net terminals.
*** SERVICES
> Information and reference services are available in-person or by
telephone
> Programs for adults and children
> Story hours for preschool children
> Free holds may be placed and material picked up at any location.
(Patrons may place holds by presenting their Library cards at any Branch.
Holds may also be placed by fax or by electronic connection with the
Catalogue. We regret that we are unable to accept holds by phone!)
> Interlibrary loans for materials not available within the
Greater Victoria Public Library System may be arranged
> Library tours and instruction are available by appointment
> Photocopiers in all Branches
> Bookdrops for return of material when the Library is closed.
> Meeting rooms for community use
> Staff are available to give talks to local groups on the Library
and it's services
> Dialup and Free-Net access to the online catalogue
*** CARD HOLDER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
> Library cards are free to residents and property owners in
Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich, Colwood, Langford, Metchosin
and the Highlands
> Library cards are available to non-residents for an annual
household fee of $100.00
> Card holders are responsible for all materials checked out on
their cards and their children's cards.
> Lost or stolen cards should be reported immediately. Replacement
charges are $2.00 for adult cards and $1.00 for children and
seniors.
> Loan period is 28 days or 14 days for in-demand items and audio
cassettes. Videos are loaned for three days. Extended holiday
loans are available on request.
> Most materials may be returned to any Branch. Films, projectors,
and videos borrowed from the Audio-Visual Department must be returned
there.
> Overdue charges for items borrowed on adult cards are $.20 per
day to a maximum of $10.00/book. Overdue charges on children's material
are $.05 per day to a maximum of $1.00. Overdue charges on videos are
$1.00 per day to a maximum of $10.00.
> Long overdue accounts are sent to a collection agency.
*** SPECIAL SERVICES
> Talking books for patrons who qualify (phone 382-7241, local 34)
> Large print books
> TDD machine for the hearing disabled (telephone 382-9123)
> Visualtek reading machines and several large print Online
Catalogue Terminals, are available for the visually impaired
*** ZOOMTEXT
We have recently received a grant from the National Library
under their Adaptive Technology Program, which provides funds to
libraries for improving accessibility for patrons who cannot use
regular print material. With the funding we ordered additional PCs
and software which enlarges the print on the public catalogue. Now
installed on a public PC in the Films and Talking Books section at
Central, ask the staff there how to use it. We hope to have it in
the branches before long.
*** HOME VIDEO COLLECTION
Many patrons are aware of our VHS video collection, now
available in all library Brances. Holds may be placed on videos and they
may be returned through any Branch.
*** CD COLLECTION
A wide variety of music CDs are available for borrowing. Unfortunately
we do not have any facilities available in the Branches to allow these to be
listened to.
**** UNABLE TO COME TO THE LIBRARY?
The library's Shut-In Service continues to serve patrons not
able to come to the library with home delivery of books, cassettes
and talking books. Materials are selected by staff and delivered
by helpful volunteers. If you know of someone who might benefit
from this service, call 385-0221 for information.
*** ENDOWMENT FUND
The Library has an Endowment Fund to receive tax deductible
monetary gifts, legacies, and bequests. Ask at any Branch for an
information brochure.
*** DONATIONS OF BOOKS
The Library welcomes gifts of books, paperbacks, and
magazines you no longer require for inclusion in our collection
or for the Friends of the Library semi-annual book sale.
If you believe your book donation has a high dollar value and
wish an income tax receipt, please provide a recognized appraiser's
evaluation with your donation.
Book plates commemorating donors will be inserted on request.
*** DONATIONS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS
Individuals or organizations can enrich our collections by
donating magazine subscriptions. The Head of the Central Library
or of your local Branch will be glad to help you choose an
appropriate title.
Income tax receipts will be issued for each subscription
donated.
*** FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
A vigorous volunteer Friends Group exists as a non-profit
association to assist the Library in many ways:
> Encourage closer relations and improved communication between the
Library and its patrons
> Encourage bequests and donations to the Library Endowment Fund
> Suggest and encourage new uses and functions for the Library
> Foster public support for the Library and its development
> Promote knowledge of and interest in the functions, services, and
needs of the Library
> Operate the Friendshop, a small specialty shop at the Central
Library to generate revenue for special Library projects
> Assist at book sales and events promoting the Library
Funds raised from the Friendshop and semi-annual book sales
enable the Friends to donate a substantial amount to the Library
each year for special equipment and events.
Join the Friends and help make your library even better!
Applications are available in all branches. Annual dues are $5.00
per person. Become a Life Member for $100.00.
For further information on any
of our programs, for assistance
in framing the terms of a bequest
or legacy, or simply to send a
gift, please write to:
Chief Librarian,
Greater Victoria Public Library,
735 Broughton Street,
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 3H2
Or, call the Chief Librarian's Office at:
(604)384-5222
*** THE STORY OF THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE
The centenary of public library service in Victoria was
celebrated at GVPL in May 1989, but long before this time early
settlers required access to reading material.
An early Assembly endorsed the idea of "establishing a
library, lecture and reading room in the city", but as is the way
with many such projects, things were slow in getting off the
ground. Meanwhile, the territorial legislature got interested in
establishing their own library, shifting the focus from the city
arena to what has now become the Legislative Library.
David Spencer, a prominent local merchant, eventually began a
private lending library in his store on Government Street.
Although a worthy and much needed service, it was still not a
public library. And Victoria was becoming a bustling town with,
one presumes, many egar readers.
In 1864. enthusiasm finally crystallized into action, and
Victoria's first library was opened by the Mechanics Institute
in their rooms in the Hibben & Carswell building on Yates
Street, near Government. As today, the reading area was
supplied with magazines and newspapers to be read on the
premises, and books could be borrowed, although only upon
payment of a subscription of $1 per year.
The Mechanics Institute quickly assumed the role of a cultural
centre in the town and was the scene of lectures, socials, and
various types of social events, including dancing to music
provided by the orchestra of one Digby Palmer. Chess and
checkers ("draughts") were also popular Institute activities.
In spite of all this activity, the Mechanics Institute had
many ups and downs, and the 4000 books were finally donated to the
City of Victoria in 1886 in return for the settlement of a debt
of $450. These books formed the kernel of Victoria's first
public library. Although the City Council voted to assume the
costs of keeping the book collection up, they turned down the
law authorizing the $450 payment, so Mayor James Fell was
forced to assume personal responsibility for the debt and thus
rescued the fledgling library from an early demise.
For the next 19 years, Victoria's library was housed at City
Hall. Around the turn of the century, Chief Library Henry
Goward spearheaded a drive to apply for a $50,000 grant from
philanthropist Andrew Carnegie to build a proper library
building. In order to qualify, a site had to be found and
$5000 for annual maintenance had to be guaranteed. A 1902
plebiscite approved the application, but it was not until 1903
that the site at Blanshard and Yates Streets was chosen.
The building was designed by the architectural firm of Hooper
and Watkins and constructed of Saturna Island sandstone by
contractor George Snider. The building was not completed until
December 1905 and the Victoria Public Library collection, then
numbering 700 volumes, was moved in. There the institution
flourished for the next 75 years. Although they have become very
rare in recent years, some of the old Mechanics Institute books are
still on the shelves at GVPL. These days finding one is a small
thing, but still a tangible link to GVPL's worthy past.
*** DID YOU KNOW?
Of 39 large public libraries, the Greater Victoria Public Library
ranks:
18th in population served
7th in circulation per capita
26th in total operation expenditures per capita
33th in total personnel expenditures per capita
21st in total library materials expenditures per capita