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Home / Branches and hours / sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch

GVPL Alerts

sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch

Located behind the BC Legislature, this newer branch features lots of natural light, with a focus on paying homage to those advancing reconciliation and civil rights.

385 Menzies Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 2H2
Bright sunny view of the sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch from the street. A corner two story building with predominantly glass windows and branch signage above.

Branch hours

Branch hours
Monday Mon 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tuesday Tue 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday Wed 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday Thu 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday Fri 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday Sat 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday Sun Closed
Cheery interior of the SJB branch - childrens books on a shelf display are seen in the foreground, and tables in a carpeted room are seen in the background. the library has large windows and lots of light

Special features

  • 24-hour library materials return 
  • Children’s area
  • Bookable computers (7)
  • Bookable study rooms (2)
  • Free menstrual products
  • Community room
  • Printing and photocopying

Location information

Branch accessibility

All GVPL branches, including ours, have wheelchair-accessible entrances, washrooms, and computers. We welcome service animals.

Accessibility at GVPL
Getting here by transit

You can take the 2, 3, and 5 bus routes to get here.

Parking for cars and bikes

We have bike racks in front of the library.

Metered street parking is available.

What’s at sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch

Find your new exciting read here, with books spanning nearly every genre. Our friendly staff are here to help you get started or find what you need.

This branch has a lək̓ʷəŋən Lekwungen name, pronounced (“s-hweng hw-ung tongue-oo-hw”). Naming is a part of reconciliation.

interior of the SJB branch - floor to ceiling windows, zigzag carpets, modern furniture and bookshelves are seen

Library services

Use a public computer

We have public computers for everyone to use, free of charge. Book one for up to an hour, or hop onto any open computer until the next reservation begins. We also have Express computers available in 15-minute time slots for quick tasks.

Drop in and use any available computer

Book a study room or pod

Study rooms and pods offer a private place to meet, work, and collaborate for up to two hours at a time.

Book in-person at our front desk.

Go online

Enjoy fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the library on your own devices. If you need help getting online, just ask us for help.

Just ask at our front desk.

Print and photocopy

You can print from any library computer. In a hurry? Book a computer ahead of time for quicker printing. Black-and-white and colour printing and photocopying are available at all GVPL branches. Just keep an eye on the time as computers automatically shut down 15 minutes before closing.

Drop in and use any available computer.

Pick up a hold

Place a hold on any book or item in our online catalogue and pick it up at the branch most convenient for you. Every branch has a Holds section for reserved books, often located right near the entrance.

Borrow a book

Newcomer supports

We help newcomers navigate life in Canada. You don’t need to be eligible for federal settlement services to get help. Join a conversation class, ask questions, or get free information and support for newcomers.

Find services for newcomers

Help with job searches

Stuck on the job hunt? We can help! Get directions on the right places to look for jobs and help finding reliable resources on writing resumes.

Just ask at our front desk.

Help with research

While we can’t write your essay for you, we can help you find great sources for your research. Let us help guide you to reliable and specialized information on any topic. We can show you how to find what you need in academic journal databases, historical archives, and trusted websites.

Just ask at our front desk.

programs AND Events
  • Baby sitting on floor turning the pages of a book with the help of the arms of a caregiver.

    Baby Time with Stay & Play

    Fun-filled songs, rhymes, and fingerplays to use with your baby every day, followed by 30 minutes of social time and free play. Drop-in; space is limited.

    Summer Session (July 7 – August 14)

  • children in a library at storytime

    Family Storytime with Stay & Play 

    Enjoy fun-filled stories, songs, rhymes, and puppets, followed by 30 minutes of social time and free play

    Summer Session (July 7 – August 15)

  • Someone pours peas out of seed packet into open hands

    Seed Library

    Patrons can borrow seeds for vegetables, herbs, and flowers through the self‑serve Seed Library located at the Central Branch.

    Ongoing

  • SRC graphic under the sea with fish

    Summer Reading Club

    Explore Under the Sea with GVPL’s 2026 BC Summer Reading Club!

    June 19 to September 5

See what’s happening
Three children, two boys and a girl playing an interactive game of Code and Go Robot Mouse, on a library table.

Library TechPlay toys

TechPlay educational toys introduce children to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) through fun, hands-on learning experiences. Whether designing a new circuit or coding a game, TechPlay empowers children to become active creators in the digital world, preparing them for the future.

Find these in our children’s area.

Dr. Elmer Seniemten George M.S.M. Community Room

Our community room is named in honour of the late Dr. Elmer Seniemten George, a respected Songhees Elder. He translated the Douglas Treaties into Lekwungen. These treaties were agreements in which the Hudson’s Bay Company acquired land, though their meaning and fairness remain contested, and many Indigenous peoples did not have a full or shared understanding of the terms.

Remembering the late Elder Dr. Elmer George
We were greatly saddened by the news of the passing of Elder Dr. Elmer Seniemten George. In keeping with Coast Salish cultural protocol, images, videos, and audio recordings of Elmer have been temporarily removed from the GVPL website. These materials will remain offline for one year, in accordance with Lək̓ʷəŋən and Coast Salish traditions.

indoors of SJB branch - bookshelves are seen on a zigzagged carpet. On the wall in the background the words "Dr. Elmer Seniemten George M.S.M. Community Room" can be seen
group in library planning a project - work projects are spread out on a table in front of them

Mifflin Wistar Gibbs Study Room

This smaller study room seats up to eight people, and includes a wall-mounted TV with an HDMI cable for presentations or group work. Mifflin Wistar Gibbs was the first Black person elected to public office in BC. He served as a Victoria city councillor from 1866 to 1869 and spent his life advocating for civil rights and equality for Black communities.

Fastfacts

Your Esquimalt branch has equipment to help you turn your old photos, home videos, and recordings into digital keepsakes.

The Lab