Vancouver Public Library, Central Library

This is a huge library with a very extensive selection of books. Plus it's the first place with a recording and editing studio for artists. Not sure how much it costs to reserve, but it's available. 9 floors! Plus, you can even get a good view of the city on the 9th floor.
On top of that, this is an architectural phenomenon! Gotta check it out! I'd give it 6 stars if I could.

A good library. Toilets are very dirty though. Not much area to eat food or consume drinks.

Doesn’t have enough men’s washrooms. It is very annoying. Most of the time I had to travel multiple floors to find an available toilet. And many people often get annoyed or angry from my observation as a frequent visitor. I always hear people complaining! You guys really need to fix this.

My favorite library outside UBC! So comfy and convenient if you have a study & work session/date. Great views as well.

Excellent place, gorgeous architecture and welcoming staff.
Great place for study and read, with an incredible library collection.

I am actually giving 5 star but i am tapping one star to minize yellow colour.i dont like yellow colour

I visited today (September 19th), it opens at 9: 30 in the morning. Busy place, but as people know how to respect their places, silence really prevails. Free entry, you can get a card to access the computers.
Tourists are not allowed to take books, but the collection is very complete and free to access!
I loved!

I've been coming here since I was a kid. It has the biggest selection of books in the lower mainland, though there are definitely times where I've had to go to Burnaby or Coquitlam to pick up something missing from their collection.

Though the building is an architectural marvel from the outside, it's fairly underwhelming on the inside, with drab carpeting, uncomfortable chairs, and awkward tables that often have missing or broken power outlets. I find it is is not a fun or comfortable place to work for extended periods of time because of the bad furniture and often strange people who will often be surrounding you.

Staff can be hard to locate, though are generally helpful when found. For some reason, they phased out the idea of "help desks" a while ago, and you now have to summon people by picking up a little phone, which feels a bit unsanitary. This is often necessary to get someone to find a book for you in the "compact storage" area, which far too many books are held in.

I just get astounded and lost here (in a good way)

The largest selection, something for everyone and I’m grateful we have this lovely place to experience. What a pleasure!

I've been to a few libraries but this one excitingly big, there are several floors of different book's categories. You can bring in closed-lid beverages, and enjoy a good book on one of the many seats available.

Great place for study and work
In comparison with KIAST public library in South Korea, the KAIST was so much modern and with much better facilities, such as resting/sleep rooms, beautiful outlook,
But VPL is also good place

6 floors of Library with a roof top that's prime for photo opportunities, plus they let you drink in there! But no food?

If you want to see every homeless in Vancouver and every thief in downtown: "Central Library "

It is such a hidden gem in Downtown. They have 9 floors plus basement. If you are just visiting Vancouver check out their architecture from outside (it was place for so many tv shows) and also their rooftop and take a nice view of the city. On the way down stop by the 7th floor and check out their Special Collection and find out a little bit more about story.

If you’re looking for the after hour book drop box, it’s on Hamilton st across from CBS radio building entrance.

Big library. Lots of dry paper, words and carpet. Staff does their jobs. Washrooms generally have lighting. There are several exits to choose from. Other people were there while it was open. The area has parking with paid timers. There is space between the book shelves for walking. Pencils are complimentary. Happy birthday to you and your family and friends. I am not sure if you have any questions or need any further information please contact me at the end of the year and I will be in the future of our games are based on the other day and I will be in the future of our games are based on your car or truck and trailer is a good idea but I have a great day and I will be in the future of our games are based on the other day and I will be in the future of our games are based on.

Haven’t had direct contact with any of the people who work here but everyone seems to be extremely nice.
Everyone keeps to themselves. It’s pretty busy, kind of noisy at times, but hey; just bring your headphones.

Very nice place to just go for peace and quiet, but I went there to vote. Found my way quite easily to voting stations.

I appreciate that their staff are very friendly and that they have security guards and cameras on every floor. Thank you for this wonderful resource where I can read and study and enjoy reading rooms and use their computers and printers

Une réalisation de l'architecte Moshe Safdie (Habitat 67 à Montréal notamment) qui vaut le détour! Oui ok, la galerie marchande est un peu vide. Mais la collection de la bibliothèque est immense et la terrasse sur le toit est juste magnifique!

What a lovely place! Full of working stations, reliable internet, many books collections and a great terrace for people to relax and connect with nature

Recently started visiting this library! It's got a heap load of novels/contents!
I think I'll be swinging by as often as I can! Keep it up VPL.

Circular design with an atrium and roof top access. The library itself is quite quaint, with carpet and footstools straight out of the 80s. The dewey decimal system is still used here, which some younger people might not have seen before.

Almost every level has chairs & desks. I was here on a weekday between 4 and 6pm, and there was still plenty of free seats. Some levels are designated quiet, which I like. The rooftop garden is very nice.

Couple of homeless people as other reviewers have noted, but they have the right to use the facilities. 4 security guards onsite, one every few levels.

VPLis an absolute dream. Not only is it a wonderful library, but it is also one of the greatest spot in the city, and I appreciate that all of the employees are so helpful and kind.

Clean nice library in Central Vancouver. Variety of books with various languages, you can use washroom, they have meeting room, vending machine for food and drink, and I love the rooftop!

One of my fave places of all times! Really wishing for it to open up the study rooms again! Pleease

Always a favourite downtown destination for me. Not only am I a big reader but the building is so interesting and classy, as well as spacious and peaceful. The relatively new top 2 floors are wonderful, especially the outdoor garden, and having somewhere to eat a snack or lunch that you've brought along is welcome.

Excellent facility. If you need to feel better about the basic skills it requires to use the services of this library, or any library in fact, just read the 1* reviews. It always provides a good laugh.

If you go to the main branch of the Vancouver Library please know that they're open but there's no where sit unless you are using one of the library computers.

Some of the staff at the Central Library are still rude and/or clueless. I was expecting more from the new regime. The security also give prolonged angry stares- even if all you are doing is checking books out of the library. Highly unprofessional.

The staff here are polite and helpful especially when you’re having hard time looking for certain books. However, as the weather gets hotter everyday, I hope they use the air-conditioning or else it is going to extremely hard to stay indoor and suffocating.

What a beautiful building. From the modern, well lit parkade to the lovely rooftop garden, this place feels so loved. The space is clean and the facilities always have a person to talk to. Every floor I've seen has a security guard, and they make sure everyone is social distancing and wearing their mask. There are places to eat and drink that give a much needed respite in this time of chaos.

When you print make sure you go to print preview. Because I literally had the experience of wasting two dollars and it came out as totally blank paper!

When it comes to printing, I highly, highly suggest never using the library. As their financial system is a scam. I just purchased a 10 money card to print off documents for 8.50, but it turns out that you cannot use the remaining amount. But they not sell exact amount cards. So the remaining balance is a waste. You can also not print and use up the remaining amount, as the pages have to be th exact amount to the cent. And sadly the computers take about 5minutes to load taking away from your requested time. You do not get your full time slot. And sadly the staff, does not warn you about any of this. And, yhe printer automatically prints double sided even if you selected single side. Which they also do not mark clearly. Save your money.

One of the nicest library ever. Staff are always very friendly and willing to help me everytime i visit, it either a question or some sort of assistance. 4 floors of unlimited content, many computers and security is always keeping the place quiet and in line and I appreciate that. Defenitley check it out its a 1 of a kind library:)

Library is really good and beautiful, second floors has publish washroom but it’s gross and super dirty. See many homeless actually take shower there (yes In the washroom) and I got my wallet stolen there when I was a international students, being said the safety is indeed a concern.

It was EXCELLENT! I went in to to get a library card (which I really should have done AGES AGO!). ANYHOO, the guy at the desk was very fast and efficient! KUDDOS! ️. (If only I could have figured out how to get into the building that fast!)

Jan. 15,2021: now can search and retrieve books from the stacks without requiring staff assistance. Masks are provided if you don't have one. Sanitation is via a foot pump.
Security at entrance and on 3rd floor where the computer terminals are located.