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Give your community a place to discover and imagine
For so many, libraries are places of stories, learning, and possibility. It’s where a child finds a book that feels like magic on each page. Where a student learns to take their research in new directions. Where a curious mind follows a small idea somewhere big and bold.
Your gift helps create these moments. Donate to Greater Victoria Public Library to bring more of these moments to your local community.
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Your support matters, now more than ever
For many, libraries are places of discovery, and for others, a lifeline. As the world changes, so does our role. Libraries aren’t just quiet places to read, but a space to meet and find community.
We’re often the first place people turn for help. Not everyone has what they need at home, school, or work—but the library helps close that gap every day as one of the last truly free public spaces.
Where your gift goes
Area of Greatest Need
Trust us to put your donation where it’s needed most. Your donation helps us meet our needs and seize great opportunities.
Vibrant Library Spaces
A library works hard to be everything a community needs. An office, a meeting space and even a place to play. And on top of all that, a destination for lifelong learning. Your donation helps us refresh and renew these busy spaces to meet rising demand, now and into the future.
Exceptional Collections
Support a growing community of passionate readers and learners. Your donation keeps our collections exciting and competitive. Larger collections mean shorter wait times too, making discovery possible for everyone.
Community-Driven Programs
Support library programs and services where people learn and find community. It’s where newcomers might find their footing or job seekers learn to start over. Your gift broadens our program’s horizons, so that there’ll always be something for someone at every age and stage of life.
I admire the work of public libraries as a longstanding example of successful sharing of a commonly held pool of resources, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to support your work.
— Lyle G, GVPL donor
Ways to give
Gifts of securities
Make an impact while saving on taxes. When you donate stock or securities that have increased in value, you won’t owe capital gains tax. Plus, you’ll still receive a charitable tax credit. If you’re thinking about a gift of securities, let us help.
Gifts of personal property
We can accept gifts of personal property if they meet the library’s needs. Tax receipts for such donations will be issued at fair market value. We greatly appreciate the intention behind the donation. To discuss donating personal property, reach out to Michelle Collyer, Director of Communications, Marketing, and Development.
Personal property can include:
- Artwork
- Equipment
- Special book collections
- Real estate
Irrevocable gifts of personal property
Irrevocable gifts of artwork or real estate are a special type of gift that allow you to enjoy your assets now and provide a tax benefit. If you’re thinking about an irrevocable gift, let us help.
Planned giving
The best way to start your legacy of learning and opportunity. Planned gifts are just as they sound. You’ll commit to a gift today, but it will only be transferred at a later time, usually after your lifetime. Sometimes, this is called a “deferred gift.”
Ways to make a planned gift
Thank you for considering us in your future plans. If you’re thinking about making a planned gift, please get in touch so we can offer help and guidance along the way.
In your will or estate
Leaving us a portion of your estate in your will is called a bequest. You may donate cash, gifts of securities, and personal property in this way. We’d welcome the opportunity to guide you as you consider making a planned gift to the library.
In your life insurance
Naming Greater Victoria Public Library as a beneficiary on your life insurance helps us continue our work even after you’re gone. This kind of gift is growing in popularity, but please note that you won’t be eligible for a tax receipt. Please reach out if you want to name us as a beneficiary to an insurance plan. We’re here to help you with the process.
As a deferred gift
A deferred gift is set up now, but the library can’t use it until later, often after your passing.
We appreciate the work the Library is doing in our community, and particularly applaud the work you are doing with children and seniors in James Bay.
— James Bay Community Market Society
Sample bequest wording
Through your will or estate, you can leave some of your personal property to the library. This is also known as a bequest. To make a bequest, we suggest including a paragraph in your will as follows:
For general bequests:
“I give (a specific asset) or ($__ dollars) or (__ per cent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, a registered Canadian charitable organization located in Victoria, British Columbia, charitable number 11894 6979 RR0001, for its general purposes.”
For specific purposes:
“I give (a specific asset) or ($__ dollars) or (__ per cent of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate) to the Greater Victoria Public Library Board, a registered Canadian charitable organization located in Victoria, British Columbia, charitable number 11894 6979 RR0001, to be used for the following purpose: (e.g., library collections).”
Contribute to the GVPL endowment fund
Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) has established an endowment fund with the Victoria Foundation known as the Greater Victoria Public Library Fund to support the long-term sustainability of our mission.
The purpose of the fund is to have a stable source of annual funding, grow our assets, and build capacity. By pooling our investments with more than 800 other funds with the Victoria Foundation, we are collectively advancing community wellbeing through shared investment while also optimizing our returns for the future.
Income from the fund helps support essential library services, programs, and resources that foster literacy and community connection. It ensures that GVPL can continue to adapt and respond to community needs while maintaining equitable access to knowledge and opportunities for all.
Ways to give to the fund
Credit Card: Call the Victoria Foundation at (250) 381-5532 or visit their Make a Donation page and select the fund from the Hosted Organization Funds drop-down menu.
Cheque: Cheques can be made out to the Victoria Foundation with the designated fund referenced in the memo line or in a cover letter.
Wire Transfer: To send a wire transfer, please contact the Victoria Foundation’s Philanthropic Services Team at [email protected].
Publicly Listed Securities: Donate publicly listed securities to eliminate capital gains tax and receive an immediate tax receipt for the market value. Complete the Donation Form for Gifts of Securities, and send a copy to both your broker/advisor and the Victoria Foundation.
Bequest: Leave a specific gift or portion of your estate to the Victoria Foundation, directing that it be added to the Greater Victoria Public Library Fund.
RRSP, RRIF, TFSA: Designate the Victoria Foundation as a beneficiary of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF), or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and provide a letter of direction that the funds be added to the Greater Victoria Public Library Fund.
Book donations
We no longer accept books and other catalogue items
GVPL has stopped accepting donated books and materials. This includes textbooks, multimedia items like DVDs, and magazines and newspapers.
You can drop off donations at a Little Free Library nearby or any thrift store that takes those items:
- Women In Need (WIN) has two locations, one on Cook Street and another on Pandora Avenue in Victoria.
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has two locations, one in Langford and another in Saanich.
- Salvation Army has two locations, one in Brentwood Bay and another in Victoria.
- Value Village locations accept book donations, including its Victoria location
- Times Colonist hosts an annual book drive and releases the details early each year.
To donate books or collections of significant value, please see the section on gifts of personal property.
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Stay connected
Learn about stories of impact and organization updates to see how your support is making a difference.
Get in touch
Schedule a private discussion with our donor team if you have questions about giving or are looking to make a planned gift. We’re here to guide you to give in the way that best reflects your charitable wishes.
Michelle Collyer
Director of Communications, Marketing, and Development
[email protected]
Greater Victoria Public Library is a registered charity. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt for all eligible donations in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. Our charitable registration number is 11894 6979 RR0001.