Library Card FAQ

To apply for your free library card, bring the necessary identification to any VPL branch.

Note: University Endowment Lands, University Neighbourhoods, UBC and Musqueam Reservation #2 lands are not within the City of Vancouver.

I live within the University Endowment Lands boundaries.

You may be eligible for a free library card as a result of a service agreement. To apply for it bring the necessary identification to any VPL branch.

Note: This card is valid for 1 year. Show ID to renew library card.

I live in Focal, Central, Hampton Place, Hawthorne Place, Chancellor Place, East Campus or Wesbrook Place.

You can get a free library card as the result of a service agreement. To apply for it bring the following to any VPL branch:

• Your UNA card. If you are not able to get a UNA card, please come into any VPL branch and talk to a staff member about your options.
• The necessary identification .

Note: This library card is valid for one year. Show valid UNA card to renew library card.

I live in a UBC family housing residence or non-student residence on a 12-month lease (Acadia Park, University Apartments residents).

You can get a free library card as the result of a service agreement. To apply for it bring the following to any VPL branch:

• Your UBC Inspired Community Services Card. If you are not able to get a UBC Inspired Community Services card, please come into any VPL branch and talk to a staff member about your options.
• The necessary identification.

Note: This library card is valid for one year. Show valid UBC Inspired Community Services Card to renew library card.

I live in student housing.

Unfortunately you cannot get a free VPL library card. Your options are:

• Free Internet Access card: You can get a free Internet Access card to access the internet on our computers. Bring one piece of personal identification, preferably with your home address, to get your Internet Access card.
  Note: Internet Access cards are valid for one year and can be renewed.
• Subscription card: If you live within commuting distance of Vancouver but do not qualify for a free card, you can purchase a 182 day subscription card for $40 ($20 for youth or child). Bring the necessary identification to any VPL branch.
  Restrictions: Cannot borrow devices, musical instruments, or passes. No Interlibrary loans. No home access to VPL digital resources, including ebooks and databases.

You can get a free library card as the result of a service agreement. To apply for it bring the necessary identification to any VPL branch.

You can get a free library card as the result of a service agreement between the Interlink Federation member library systems. To apply for it bring the following to any VPL branch:

• The necessary identification.
• If you have a card from your own library system, bring it with you so staff can register that card at VPL and you will only need to carry one library card with you. If you don’t have a card we will issue you one.

Restrictions: Cannot borrow devices or passes. Access to digital resources is limited to those available everywhere for VPL cardholders.

You can get a free library card under the province’s B.C. OneCard program. To apply for it bring the following to any VPL branch:

• Your local library card. Note that you must get this card before you can get a free VPL card.
• The necessary identification.

Restrictions: Cannot borrow devices or passes. No Interlibrary loans. No home access to VPL digital resources, including ebooks and databases.

If you are not able to get a local library card, please come into any VPL branch and talk to a staff member about your options. You may still qualify for a free card, but if you can’t get a free card your options are:

• Free Internet Access card: You can get a free Internet Access card to access the internet on our computers. Bring one piece of personal identification, preferably with your home address, to get your Internet Access card.
  Note: Internet Access cards are valid for one year and can be renewed.
• Subscription card: If you live within commuting distance of Vancouver but do not qualify for a free card, you can purchase a 182 day subscription card for $40 ($20 for youth or child). Bring the necessary identification to any VPL branch.
  Restrictions: Cannot borrow devices, musical instruments, or passes. No Interlibrary loans. No home access to VPL digital resources, including ebooks and databases.
• Visitor card: You can purchase a 90 day visitor card for $30. Bring two pieces of ID, one of which includes your permanent address, to any VPL branch.
  Restrictions: You can take up to 10 items out on the card at one time. Cannot borrow devices, musical instruments, or passes. No Interlibrary loans. Access to digital resources is limited to those available everywhere for VPL cardholders.

Unfortunately you cannot get a free VPL library card. Your options are:

• Free Internet Access card: You can get a free Internet Access card to access the internet on our computers. Bring one piece of personal identification, preferably with your home address, to get your Internet Access card.
  
  Note: Internet Access cards are valid for one year and can be renewed.
   
• Visitor card: You can purchase a 90 day visitor card for $30. Bring two pieces of ID, one of which includes your permanent address, to any VPL branch.
  
  Restrictions: You can take up to 10 items out on the card at one time. Cannot borrow devices, musical instruments, or passes. No Interlibrary loans. Access to digital resources is limited to those available everywhere for VPL cardholders.

If you do not yet have a library card but want to place a hold on an item in our catalogue, you can register online for a temporary digital access card.

Restrictions: Cannot borrow library material or passes. Cannot access internet in the library.

In these situations there are specialized services for residents of City of Vancouver.  Please go to the Accessible Services web page, call 604-331-4100, or email accessible@vpl.ca to find out if you qualify for these services.

• Accessible Services Registration Form

Please see the Educators section of the website.

Please report your lost card immediately by calling or visiting any VPL branch. Until you do so, anything checked out on your card is your responsibility. When you tell us your card is missing we will make a note in the computer so that no one can use it.

You can replace your card at any VPL branch.

If you see the message "Your account has expired", you will need to renew your library card. Call Circulation Services at 604-331-3670 or any branch to renew.

Cardholders residing in service agreement areas may be asked to go to their local branch to renew their card.

This is not the complete list of cards, just the most frequently encountered situations. Come into any VPL branch and talk to a staff member about your options. You may still qualify for a free card, but if you can’t get a free card your options are:

• Free Internet Access card: You can get a free Internet Access card to access the internet on our computers. Bring one piece of personal identification, preferably with your home address, to get your Internet Access card. Note: Internet Access cards are valid for one year and can be renewed.
• Subscription card: If you live within commuting distance of Vancouver but do not qualify for a free card, you can purchase a 182 day subscription card for $40 ($20 for youth or child). Bring the necessary identification to any VPL branch. Note: No device loans, access to digital resources is limited to those available everywhere for VPL cardholders.
• Visitor card: You can purchase a 90 day visitor card for $30. Bring one piece of ID with signature to any VPL branch. Note: Maximum 10 items checked out at one time, no interlibrary loans, no device loans, access to digital resources is limited to those available everywhere for VPL cardholders.

An online for a temporary digital card is intended to provide Vancouver residents with temporary access to thousands of digital items from home. Because access to these electronic resources is governed by license agreements that can vary depending on your city of residence, it is necessary to validate your account with ID and proof of address in person at a VPL branch.