Unique Collections

VPL Central Branch maintains files with clippings and ephemeral material on BC artists and galleries. They can be found on Level 7 in Special Collections. Available by in-person request.

Use the BC Artists Files page to determine whether VPL has a file on the BC artist or gallery you are researching. 

Board games are back at the Central Library and select branch libraries! (For in library use only.)

Please visit the branch library nearest you to discover what board games are available. See branch library locations below. Check back for updates as additional branches offer board games.

Bud Osborn was a local poet and community activist for the Downtown Eastside. His personal poetry collection was donated to the library, and is stored at the Carnegie Community Centre. Viewing of the collection is available upon request.

Canadian Census statistical reports from 1851; historical federal Sessional Papers; B.C. and federal Hansard Debates; Journals of the Senate, House of Commons and B.C. Legislature; and B.C. and federal Gazettes. These offer early election results, Royal Commission reports, transcripts and minutes. 

Learn more about the collection through our Government Information Guide.

The Downtown Eastside Special Collection features items relevant to the Downtown Eastside and Carnegie Centre history, such as government documents, poetry, plays, and more spanning from the 1960s until present day, with many books that detail the Carnegie Centre’s history starting from the early 1900s. The Downtown Eastside Special Collection is available at the Carnegie Branch for use in-branch.

VPL has a large selection of individual plays and collected works by both established and emerging playwrights. This collection, located on Level 6 of the Central Library, is broken into two sections: Drama Pamphlets and Play Sets.

Focused on Canadian records, such as nominal Census records and BC civil registrations, and includes resources for other countries, in print, microfilm and digital formats. VPL cardholders also have access to the holdings of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City with the assistance of a staff member.

Learn about the collection through our Genealogy Guides.

Materials related to the history and development of the area, including the Britannia Site.

As part of Vancouver Public Library’s work to advance the goals of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, all VPL branches feature Indigenous collections.  These collections were developed in consultation with community organizations in Vancouver.

Current and historical statutes and regulations for BC and Canada; City of Vancouver Bylaws; national, BC and municipal building, plumbing, fire and electrical codes.

Learn about the collection through our Legal Information Guide.

Along with more than 120 magazines to borrow for all ages, the Central Library provides nearly 1,000 magazines and journals for use in the library, across topics as wide ranging as current events, sports, art, literature, music, business and science.

The VPL map collection includes maps and atlases of every description: from street maps of present-day Vancouver to historical atlases of ancient Rome, from bathymetric maps of the ocean floor to geological maps of Jupiter's moons. 

The Map Collection page will help you find the many types of maps held at the Central Library.

Lending library of musical instruments, instructional books and DVDs, musical scores and songbooks, music parts and folders for instrument ensembles.

Central Library offers more than 50 newspapers in print from Vancouver, BC, Canada and around the world, archival microfilm of many Vancouver newspapers and Canadian newspapers from major cities including Victoria.

Learn about the collection on our Newspapers - Current and Historical page.

A special collection of fiction and non-fiction books for, and about, the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Located on Level 7 of the Central Library.

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm.

VPL’s zine collection covers a wide range of topics, often representing marginalized viewpoints not found in mainstream publishing. Zines are handmade, underground publications that resemble little magazines. They are most often a labour of love, inspired by a need to communicate and connect, or to disseminate art or political ideas.