Obtaining a library card from the North Vancouver City Library (NVCL) offers newcomers to Canada a wealth of free resources and services to support their integration. In addition to the many resources available, NVCL offers the Library Champions Project volunteer opportunity in collaboration with North Vancouver District Public Library and West Vancouver Memorial Library. This is a three-month program that trains new immigrants to promote awareness of library and settlement services within their communities.
There are many ways that the NVCL stands out as a pillar for newcomers to North Vancouver:
Newcomer Resources
The library hosts cultural events, author talks, and workshops for all ages, and also has some amazing resources, including:
- Library programs for immigrants and newcomers – NVCL offers many programs for immigrants and newcomers. You can practice English conversation in friendly, small groups with an experienced facilitator. You can also learn about specific topics like Canadian cooking, or get employment mentoring, or skills development. They can also help you prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test.
- ELL & ESL books – The library’s catalogue includes a vast selection of English language learning (ELL) and English as a second language (ESL) resources. The ELL collection is on the third floor.
- NewToBC – A library settlement initiative the connects immigrants, newcomers, and refugees with essential settlement information, public libraries, and other service providers. NewToBC also facilitates the Library Champions Project at NVCL.
The Library Champions Project
“The Library Champions Project is a hands-on way of connecting with newcomers to inform them about public library services and spread the word about them within networks NVCL can’t reach. It is an important avenue for us to connect with newcomers and, more importantly, to assist them with building confidence in their community, increasing their library knowledge and connecting to new people because of this project,” writes Shideh, of NVCL.
“It’s a great project, and we value our partnership with NewToBC and all the work that Champions do to spread the word about public library services and resources. My experience, both as a Library Champion myself, and as a library liaison, shows that there are a lot of people who don’t know much about public libraries, and this is a great way to reach out to different communities and share information.”
Immigrants find that many services offered at libraries are vastly different from their home county. Some of these services include:
- Multilingual collections – The library has a growing collection of multilingual titles, reflective of the most-spoken languages on the North Shore. Browse their multilingual collections.
- Technology training – There’s lots to learn about technology and digital media, and City Library is your place to preserve, record, edit, play and explore! Record your podcast or start a sound mixing project in the recording studio. Drop in to a device clinic to get help using your new smartphone, or program a robot in the Collaboratory.
- Activities and events – There’s so much to discover at your City Library! The library hosts programs and events dedicated to lifelong learning in all forms. Whether you’re 9 or 109 or any age in between, there’s a library program or event for you. Explore the full calendar.
Community Building
For many newcomers, the library is more than just a place to borrow books—it’s a gateway to a thriving community, a hub of learning, and a place to build meaningful connections. NVCL continues to play an important role in making North Vancouver a welcoming place for immigrants by offering resources, guidance, and opportunities to engage. Whether through language programs, digital literacy training, or the Library Champions Project, the library provides newcomers with tools and confidence to navigate life in BC successfully.
“Based on the feedback that we receive from Library Champions, it’s also a valuable experience for them as it helps them with skill building such as outreach and public speaking, in addition to knowledge building about public libraries. Some Library Champions reported that they’ve found great friends and connections as a result, and some have reported that they’ve seen this experience invaluable on their resume as a Canadian experience.”
