Vancouver Public Library, Central Library — Attraction in Vancouver

Unprofessional and unpleasant

A while back, a seemed empathetic nice employee did not cancel the library card for deceased person upon my request. Considering how much legal papers were required and how emotional this was to me, I invited him to take the time to complete the cancellation before I leave. Later, I discovered that he did not cancel the card. What?!

Yesterday, I went to borrow some books as a resident in a different part of Lower Mainland. I inquired by phoning first, then, proceeded accordingly. Soon, found out the info were not all accurate.

Then, I witness an ESL senior client upset stating she was mistreated. She repeated something like: "It is unacceptable to pay another $15 to print the same thing!" at the information desk. Then, a middle age lady with her ID inside her shirt approached and pulled out her some cash and handed over to client. Also said: someone will give you more money. Then, the male worker at the info desk, walked away and came back with a 5-dollor bill and gave to the client. The client did not say much, left.

At the time, I thought: what a peacemaker, who hand out cash to cover another employee's mistake.

I was so wrong! Soon I experienced her treatment first hand!

I was very happy to see that she was available after I got a new library card. I told her that I just got a Vancouver library card and I live xx city, and I'd appreciate some help to find some books. She turned her monitor over and asked if I knew how to use the Catalog. I told her that I knew how and did that at my home computer. She then said that since you were here, she would help me anyhow. Her tone was short and unpleasant to begin with and by the time I told her the name of the 3rd book, she asked me to do it myself on a different computer. I pleaded that for a first timer, some guidance to this huge library to locate the books would be nice, plus I only parked for 1 hour (over the phone, I was told half hour would be fine). By then, I learned from her the floor we were at was 2nd floor and there were a non-fiction section goes by author names and one book would be at 6th floor. It sounded very complicated. She sent me away anyway, because "there is customer arrived, waiting." Just one person waiting. I am not very good in writing. I probably not describing well how rude and impatient she was to me.

I then searched the info from a different computer. Lucky, by then, the other lady at the same counter was free. I went to her and asked her with the inform I wrote down, how to use them to locate the books.

Without knowing how the system works at this majestic library, I did not write down enough information to locate the books. She told me that I need to get more information, like name of author, fiction or non-fiction. I asked whether there were still services to show new clients how to navigate this building/system that are different than any other library I ever went. She kindly agreed and it took her a bit time to find the books. She said even she did not always know which sections were. It is a huge library. She also very kindly told me that she'd find someone on 6th floor to help me.

I do not know what made that ID hiding employee so unprofessional. I would like to know if I were a white person, especially a white male, would she be more professional and pleasant. If she were not, would she got away.

I spoke to the manager at the help from the nice employee works at 6th floor. The manager seemed and sounded very empathetic. I requested her to get back to me afterward. Nothing to report for that.

I am glad that these are just unpleasant experiences without much consequences. However, I feel like it is needed to...

One of the most iconic buildings in downtown Vancouver — it looks like a modern Roman Colosseum from the outside, and inside, it’s a true haven for readers, students, and explorers of knowledge.

✨ Beautiful, Welcoming, and Incredibly Functional As soon as you step into the glass-covered entrance, you’re greeted by open spaces, natural light, and a peaceful energy. The entire library is clean, spacious, and thoughtfully designed.

🏛️ Start from Level 2 — the Heart of the Library Level 2 is the main entrance floor and has everything to get you started: • Information Desk and Borrowing Services • Children’s Library and Indie Authors collection • Fiction, Graphic Novels, Multilingual books, Large Print books There’s even a cozy Zine section and Indigenous authors’ shelf, making this space diverse and inclusive.

🧠 Each Floor Has Its Own Personality • Level 3 has Teen Space, Computer Zone, and collections on philosophy, psychology, computer science, and more. • Level 4 covers business, science, ESL, job resources, law, fashion, and health. • Level 6 is perfect for music lovers and travelers — you’ll find DVDs, music CDs, maps, literature, and history. • Level 9 is a rooftop garden and a quiet space for children’s programs — a hidden gem if you need fresh air.

💻 Work-Friendly & Community-Focused The computer stations are widely available, internet is fast, and there are plenty of comfortable chairs and desks. Social Services info is also available — including free food and shelter resources. It’s a place that truly cares about its community.

♿ Accessibility Matters Elevators, accessible seating, and clearly marked sections make this space inclusive for everyone.

📌 Extra Tip: There are water bottle fill stations, gender-inclusive and women’s restrooms, and staff are super friendly and helpful.

💬 Final Thoughts: This is more than just a library — it’s a warm, open space to learn, rest, and grow. Whether you’re studying, exploring, or simply escaping the rain — VPL welcomes you with open arms. Highly recommend visiting at least once!

🇰🇷밴쿠버 중심에서 지식과 힐링을 동시에 누릴 수...

Smell of urine, homeless sleeping in washrom nunber 2 cabbins all day long, urine everywhere on washrom floor around toilets, on walls, vomit on floors in washrooms, human feces on toilet seats, unflushed toilets because no water flush works in specific toilet, blood and syringes around toilets, horrible stench all day long and much worse during the summer time. Air vents in washrooms have dust stuck to it like no one ever cleaned it (first time see this in Vancouver, see photos). Again, urine smell in men's washrooms is overbearing even if you wear a mask it's impossible to breathe there. Loud people go loud for hours without security interference, scatchy people lurking inside checking for stuff to steal. I give 5 stars to architects for designing this beautiful building. 0 stars to management for maintaining it! Wifi is good but not on all floors though, chairs comfortable enough, clean? Nope, not at all. My lowest scores go along the condition of the library. I give 0 stars because urnine smell from mens washrooms is so bad you can smell it 10 meters away from any male washroom in this library (please spend $ for the air freshed gells that are currently insatlled everywhere in washroms in the United States, it really works!). On the 6th floor I see 9 out of 10 times homeless lock doors and smoke crack in the washrooms, you can stay there and hear them puffing in and out then white smoke coming out above doors, then they sleep there all day leaving only 2 urinals for the rest of the floor to use. This library has become a place to shot drugs and then use the facility as a free day hotel to sleep in the washrooms or on chairs on all floors and for homeless population in the Downtown. The reading room on 8th floor gets at least one homeless with luggage bags siting inside sleeping, everyone else struggles to breathe 😴 😪 😑 because there no air ventilation. I have nothing against homeless people, but the management of this library should know how to deal with this. VPL senior staff makes cool 200k salary annually...