GVPL News & Service Updates

October 19, 2023: Public library computers and printers at all GVPL branches are currently unavailable due to a technical issue. Our team is aware of the problem and is working to resolve it. Please watch this space for updates. We apologize for this inconvenience.

 

September 22, 2023: The Children's Area at our Saanich Centennial Branch will be temporarily closed for planned maintenance from September 27 to September 29. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve this space for your enjoyment. Questions? Ask us, or call our customer service line, Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

August 22, 2023: The Bruce Hutchison Branch will remain open during regular hours while the Saanich Commonwealth Place is closed for annual maintenance. Please note all GVPL branches will be closed on Monday, September 4, in recognition of Labour Day.

 

August 21, 2023: Flipster magazines will be unavailable between 2:00 pm on Friday, August 25 and 8:00 am on Saturday, August 26, due to scheduled maintenance. Any Flipster magazines already checked out and downloaded onto the "My Shelf" tab of the Flipster mobile app will remain accessible. Desktop viewing and new mobile app checkouts will not be available.

 

 

August 9, 2023: Due to planned system maintenance, access to our online catalogue and many of our digital collections will be interrupted between 6:00pm and 9:00pm on Monday, August 14. Questions? Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

 

June 2, 2023: The Oak Bay Branch will reopen at 10am on Tuesday, June 6. GVPL and the District of Oak Bay will offer complimentary tea, coffee, sugar cookies and GVPL book bags as giveaways at the June 6 reopening to welcome the community back into the library.  

 

Questions about Library services and programs? Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

 

May 29, 2023: Our temporary pop-up library in the Cedar Room at the Monterey Recreation Centre has permanently closed. The Oak Bay Branch will reopen in its regular location during the week of June 5-11. The reopening date will be announced once confirmed.

 

All holds will remain in place during this temporary service interruption. Patrons wanting to change, cancel or suspend their hold can use the My Account feature or contact GVPL’s Customer Service Line. The 24-hour outdoor book return outside the Monterey Recreation Centre will remain open.

 

Questions? Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am-6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

 

May 19, 2023: Our temporary pop-up library in the Cedar Room at the Monterey Recreation Centre will permanently close at 5:00 pm on May 28, 2023. The Oak Bay Branch will reopen in its regular location during the week of June 5-11. The reopening date will be announced once confirmed.

 

All holds will remain in place during this temporary service interruption. Patrons wanting to change, cancel or suspend their hold can use the My Account feature or contact GVPL’s Customer Service Line. The 24-hour outdoor book return outside the Monterey
Recreation Centre will remain open.

 

Questions? Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am-6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

April 24, 2023: The Heritage Room at the Central Branch is open during regular branch hours and includes local history, genealogy, and discovery resources. If you would like to use the Heritage Room, please see branch staff.

 

March 7, 2023: Our temporary pop-up library in the Cedar Room at the Monterey Recreation Centre is now open. This temporary site will remain open until services resume at our regular location. Services available at the pop-up location include:

• Holds pick up.
• Small browsing collection featuring new and popular materials for all ages, including adult and non-fiction titles, children’s books,
• Fast Collection items, large print, DVDs and Blu-ray, newspapers and more.
• Drop-in indoor Family Storytime (Wednesdays at 10:30 am, starting March 15).
• WiFi access.
• Return drop box (located outside the Monterey Recreation Centre).

 

Temporary pop-up Oak Bay Branch open hours 

Monday                 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday                 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Wednesday            10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Thursday               10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday                    10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday                10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday (new)         1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

 

 

March 2, 2023: A temporary pop-up library will open in the Cedar Room at the Monterey Recreation Centre at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 7. This temporary site will remain open until services resume at our regular location. Services available at the temporary pop-up location include:

• Holds pick up.
• Small browsing collection featuring new and popular materials for all ages, including adult and non-fiction titles, children’s books,
• Fast Collection items, large print, DVDs and Blu-ray, newspapers and more.
• Drop-in indoor Family Storytime (on Wednesdays, starting March 15 at 10:30 am).
• WiFi access.
• Continued use of return drop box (located outside the Monterey Recreation Centre).

 

Temporary pop-up Oak Bay Branch open hours (starting March 7)

Monday                 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday                 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Wednesday            10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Thursday               10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday                    10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday                10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Sunday (new)         1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

 

For more information, please see the District of Oak Bay's website. 

 

February 9, 2023:  The temporary closure of the Oak Bay Branch has been extended due to asbestos abatement (removal) by the District of Oak Bay at the Monterey Recreation Centre. This location will remain closed for approximately twelve weeks. We are exploring options to deliver library services in Oak Bay at an alternative location. An update will be provided soon.

 

Questions about Library services and programs? Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

When will the library reopen?
The asbestos abatement (removal) is expected to take approximately twelve weeks. The open date for the Oak Bay Branch will be communicated when confirmed.

 

Where do I return library items?

When can I collect my holds?
Library items on hold at the Oak Bay Branch will be extended to the end of February. 

 

Effective February 9, all current and new holds placed for pick up at the Oak Bay Branch will be temporarily suspended by GVPL while we prepare an alternative service location in Oak Bay. A suspended hold maintains your place in the queue; your item will not be available for pick up in Oak Bay while the hold is temporarily suspended. If you would like to select another GVPL location to pick up your hold, the pick up location can be changed anytime through “My Account” at gvpl.ca. Staff are always available to help. Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

In-person browsing and computers are available at all other GVPL branches. Our sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay and Nellie McClung branches are nearest.

sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch • 385 Menzies Street
Nellie McClung Branch • 3950 Cedar Hill Road

 

Questions about the asbestos abatement (removal) and testing?
Questions about the Monterey Recreation Centre, including the ongoing asbestos abatement (removal) and testing, should be directed to the District of Oak Bay at 250-598-3311. 

 

 

February 2, 2023: Due to planned system maintenance, access to our website, online catalogue, and many of our digital collections will be interrupted between 6pm and 9pm on Monday, February 6.

• Most in-branch services, including holds pick up, borrowing from the browsing collection, returning items, and using a public computer (available on a first-come, first-serve basis) will remain available and items from the digital collection that are downloaded before 6pm on February 6 should be available.
• Access to many of the library’s website, digital collections, ‘My Account’, placing and managing holds, renewing items, online catalogue search, online library card registration, and pre-booking a computer through the Customer Service Line will be impacted during this time. Some in-branch services, including self-checkout machines, will also be unavailable.

 

January 27, 2023: The Oak Bay Branch will be closed until 10:00 am on Monday, February 6, due to asbestos testing by the District of Oak Bay at the Monterey Recreation Centre. The library return bins will be closed during this time. Library items can be returned to any other GVPL branch. If patrons are able to return to other branches, it helps us ensure those library items are available for other patrons to borrow across our system.

 

 

Where do I return library items?
Library items can be returned to any other GVPL branch. Overdue fines will be waived for the duration of the closure. If you placed library items in the Oak Bay return bin, these items will be processed once the branch reopens on February 6. You will not incur late fees.

 

When can I collect my holds?
Dates for holds have been extended to February 6. Hold items currently inside the Oak Bay branch cannot be moved to another location.

 

Where can I go to use a computer?
In-person browsing and computers are available at all other GVPL branches. Our Central, sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay, and Nellie McClung branches are nearest.

 

Central Branch • 735 Broughton St
sxweŋxwəŋ təŋəxw James Bay Branch • 385 Menzies St

Nellie McClung Branch • 3950 Cedar Hill Rd

 

I have questions about the asbestos testing?
Questions about the Monterey Recreation Centre, including the ongoing asbestos testing, should be directed to the District of Oak Bay at 250-598-3311 or through the District of Oak Bay's website.

 

 

January 17, 2023: Between January 16 and February 10, Goldstream Avenue will be closed to thru eastbound traffic between Veteran’s Memorial Parkway and the roundabout at the mall entrance (Bryn Maur Road) due to watermain replacement works. There is no vehicle access to the Goudy Branch during this time. The public can use a parking facility on Claude Road and walk to the branch. Emergency vehicles and BC Transit will have full access throughout this construction. Library hours and services will remain unchanged. For more information, see www.langford.ca.

 

January 10, 2023: Due to planned system maintenance, access to our website, online catalogue, and many of our digital collections will be interrupted between 6pm and 9pm on Monday, January 16.

• Most in-branch services, including holds pick up, borrowing from the browsing collection, returning items, and using a public computer (available on a first-come, first-serve basis) will remain available and items from the digital collection that are downloaded before 6pm on January 16 should be available.
• Access to many of the library’s website, digital collections, ‘My Account’, placing and managing holds, renewing items, online catalogue search, online library card registration, and pre-booking a computer through the Customer Service Line will be impacted during this time. Some in-branch services, including self-checkout machines, will also be unavailable.

 

December 1, 2022: Due to planned system maintenance, access to our website, online catalogue, and many of our digital collections will be interrupted between 6pm and 9pm on Monday, December 5.

• Most in-branch services, including holds pick up, borrowing from the browsing collection, returning items, and using a public computer (available on a first-come, first-serve basis) will remain available and items from the digital collection that are downloaded before 6pm on December 5 should be available.
• Access to many of the library’s website, digital collections, ‘My Account’, placing and managing holds, renewing items, online catalogue search, online library card registration, and pre-booking a computer through the Customer Service Line will be impacted during this time. Some in-branch services, including self-checkout machines, will also be unavailable.

 

November 14, 2022: Due to planned system maintenance, access to our website, online catalogue, and many of our digital collections will be interrupted between 6pm and 9pm on Monday, November 21.

• Most in-branch services, including holds pick up, borrowing from the browsing collection, returning items, and using a public computer (available on a first-come, first-serve basis) will remain available and items from the digital collection that are downloaded before 6pm on November 21 should be available.
• Access to many of the library’s website, digital collections, ‘My Account’, placing and managing holds, renewing items, online catalogue search, online library card registration, and pre-booking a computer through the Customer Service Line will be impacted during this time. Some in-branch services, including self-checkout machines, will also be unavailable.

 

October 12, 2022: All GVPL branches and departments will be closed on Wednesday, November 2 for a staff training and development day. Regular library hours will resume on Thursday, November 3. The library return bins will remain open during this closure.

 

October 11, 2022: Our Bruce Hutchison Branch will be closed October 17 and October 18 due to ongoing maintenance work at Saanich Commonwealth Place. The library return bins will remain open during this closure.

 

September 21, 2022: Due to planned system maintenance, access to some of our online resources and digital collections will be interrupted between 4:00am and 12:00pm on September 28. The following resources will be temporarily unavailable during this time: Auto Repair Source; BC Historical Newspapers; Canadian Newsstream; Coronavirus Research Database; DragonSource; Ebsco Small Engine Repair; Encyclopedie Universalis; Flipster; GreenFile; International Newsstream; Mango Languages; MasterFile Premier; Naxos Music Library; Naxos Jazz; Naxos World; NoveList; Proquest Digital; and Times Colonist.

 

February 10, 2022: Due to planned system maintenance, access to our online catalogue and some of our digital collections, i.e. OverDrive/Libby, Mango Languages, PressReader, will be interrupted between 5am on Thursday, February 17 and 10pm on Sunday, February 20.

• Most in-branch services, including holds pick-up, borrowing from the browsing collection, returning items, and using a public computer (available on a first-come, first-serve basis) will remain available and items from the digital collection that are downloaded before 5am on February 17 should be available.
• Access to many of the library’s digital collections, ‘My Account’, placing and managing holds, renewing items, online catalogue search, online library card registration, and pre-booking a computer through the Customer Service Line will be impacted during this time. Some in-branch services, including self-checkout machines, will also be unavailable.
• During the temporarily outage, due dates for books, CDs, DVDs, and other physical items will be extended by one week.

 

January 17, 2022: Our Esquimalt Branch has closed. We do not have a confirmed date for the opening of the new branch in the Esquimalt Town Square, but the date will be announced as soon as it is known. A couple of important notes:

• Library items can still be returned to the book drop box in the south parking lot behind the Archie Browning Sports Centre, or at any GVPL branch.
• Beginning January 17, items placed on hold at the Esquimalt Branch will be available for pickup at our Saanich Centennial Branch, or another branch of your choosing.
• Visit our other locations for in-branch services, including browsing and access to public computers; our Saanich Centennial and Central Branches are the nearest locations to Esquimalt.

 

December 23, 2021: The Esquimalt Branch will close at 6pm on January 15, 2022 while we work behind the scenes to open our new location in the Esquimalt Town Square. We do not have a confirmed date for the opening of the new branch, but the date will be announced as soon as it is known.

For updates, watch this space, our social media channels, or talk to branch staff. Thank you for your patience during this transition!

Additional Information:

• There will be no disruption of services before the January 15 closure.
• During this temporary closure, library items can still be returned to the book drop box in the south parking lot behind the Archie Browning Sports Centre, or at any GVPL branch.
• Beginning January 17, items placed on hold at the Esquimalt Branch will be available for pickup at our Saanich Centennial Branch, or another branch of your choosing. For information on how to cancel, suspend, or change a pickup location on a hold – see here.
• During this temporary closure, patrons are invited to visit our other locations for in-branch services, including browsing and access to public computers; our Saanich Centennial and Central Branches are the nearest locations to the Esquimalt Branch.

 

December 6, 2021: Remote access to AncestryLibrary will end on December 31, 2021. As of January 2022, access will only be available in library branches.

 

September 27, 2021: Access to the Ebsco databases (Consumer Reports, MasterFILE Premier, Novelist, Small Engine Repair) has been restored. If patrons are still receiving the error message asking them to contact the library network administrator, they should try clearing their cache.

 

September 13, 2021: GVPL is having access problems to our Ebsco databases, including Consumer Reports, MasterFile Premier, NoveList, and Small Engine Repair. Ebsco support is working on the issue and we hope to have access restored soon.

 

September 10, 2021: Starting Monday, September 13, the main entrance to the Esquimalt branch will change from Esquimalt Road to Fraser Street due to work being completed on the Esquimalt Town Square. Patrons may enter the library through the newly-completed entrance to the town square plaza, off Fraser Street. This entrance can accommodate users requiring mobility aids. This temporary change in access is expected to last for up to 6 weeks and there is no impact on library hours, services, patron parking, and book drop facilities. See the location map for details. Stay up to date on the Esquimalt Town Square project on the municipal website.

 

August 27, 2021: The Bruce Hutchison Branch will close at 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 4 and reopen at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 18 due to electrical upgrades being made at Saanich Commonwealth Place.

• The library return bin/chute will be closed during these dates and items that are due for return during this temporary closure can be returned at any other GVPL branch. Emily Carr and Nellie McClung are the closest branches to Bruce Hutchison.
• Hold items that have the status ‘ready for pickup’ will be available for collection from the Bruce Hutchison Branch until 6:00 pm on Friday, September 3. Patrons who wish to collect their hold(s) from another branch during this temporary closure can change the pick-up location using the My Account function (items with the status ‘pending’ or ‘available’ can be changed at any time using the My Account function).
• Patrons who have interlibrary loan items arrive during the closure will be contacted by our customer service team to arrange for a new pick-up location; we are unable to extend the loan period for interlibrary loan items.
• Summer Reading Club participants can collect their final prizes at any other GVPL location during the closure, or can collect prizes from the Bruce Hutchison Branch before, or after, the closure period; prizes will be available at all branches until September 18 and will be available at the Bruce Hutchison Branch until September 30.
• Questions? Our customer service line is open Monday to Saturday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

July 28, 2021: Our online catalogue will not be available Wednesday, August 4, between 8:45pm and 10.45pm, due to regular system maintenance. You will not be able to search, place holds, renew items, or access your account during this time. Hoopla, Kanopy, and OverDrive will be available through their own website/apps! We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

June 9, 2021: GVPL’s cloudLibrary account has been retired. All ebooks and e-audiobooks have moved to OverDrive.

 

March 29, 2021: All ebooks and e-audiobooks currently in cloudLibrary are moving to OverDrive. Effective immediately, you can start browsing, borrowing, and enjoying ebooks and digital audiobooks through OverDrive and Libby (OverDrive’s mobile app). 

 

March 25, 2021: GVPL patrons have been transitioned from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning. If you have questions or concerns, we can help. Our Customer Service Line is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at 250-940-4875.

 

August 17, 2020: A new version of the CloudLibrary mobile app has been released. If you are experiencing issues, please try logging out of the CloudLibrary app, rebooting the device, and logging back in.