Vancouver Public Library (Central Library)

Step into a world where the grandeur of ancient Rome meets the contemporary pulse of literary Vancouver! Nestled in the heart of the city's Central Business District, the Vancouver Public Library (Central Library) isn't just a trove of books—it's an architectural marvel that commands attention.

Drawing inspiration from Rome's iconic Colosseum, the library's majestic colonnaded exterior feels like stepping into an amphitheater of knowledge. Why travel to Italy when you can stand in the midst of this wonder and feel like a modern-day Emperor overlooking their vast domain?

With nine stories wrapped in an elliptical, colonnaded wall, the structure seamlessly merges the wisdom of the past with the dynamism of the present. As you cross the bridges spanning the skylit light wells, you'll find cozy reading nooks and study areas, reminiscent of the alcoves where scholars of antiquity might have pondered life's great mysteries.

But the magic doesn't end at the library's doors. Embracing it is the bustling Library Square, occupying an entire city block, and creating a continuous piazza vibe. Think of it as your own Roman forum in the heart of Vancouver! Dive into a new novel, uncover ancient history, or simply soak in the ambiance of one of Vancouver's architectural gems—the Vancouver Public Library awaits.

Bordered by Homer, Hamilton, Robson, and Georgia Streets, this isn't just a library—it's a realm where tales of old and new converge, where every visitor can feel like Roman royalty. Toga not required, but your camera definitely is!
Hours:
Monday: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Popular Points of Interest

Things to see in and around the city
Spinning Chandelier by Rodney Graham
Arts, Culture, & History
Fisherman’s Park
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Rope Runner Aerial Adventure Park
Kid-approved
Tours & Attractions
Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Long Beach
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
MacMillan Provincial Park
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Hatley Castle
Statues & Landmarks
Wild Pacific Trail
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Nanaimo Museum
Tours & Attractions
Ucluelet Aquarium
Tours & Attractions
Kid-approved
Amphitrite Point Lighthouse
Statues & Landmarks
Naa'Waya'Sum Gardens
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Historic O'Keefe Ranch
Arts, Culture, & History
Skaha Lake
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Naramata Bench
Food & Beverage
Keremeos
Food & Beverage
Old Country Market
Food & Beverage
Tours & Attractions
S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Park
Tours & Attractions
Arts, Culture, & History
Musqueam Cultural Centre
Indigenous
Arts, Culture, & History
Harrison Hot Springs
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Kid-approved
Sasquatch Provincial Park
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Tours & Attractions
Indigenous
Arts, Culture, & History
Deadman's Island
Arts, Culture, & History
Statues & Landmarks
The Birds by Myfanwy MacLeod
Statues & Landmarks
Great Marpole Midden
Statues & Landmarks
Indigenous
Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
Arts, Culture, & History
Britannia Shipyards
Statues & Landmarks
East Van Cross by Ken Lum
Statues & Landmarks
Iona Beach Regional Park
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Richmond Night Market
Food & Beverage
Shopping
Nightlife & Entertainment
Trout Lake
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Pacific National Exhibition
Nightlife & Entertainment
Kid-approved
Dominion Building
Statues & Landmarks
Capilano River Hatchery
Tours & Attractions
Kid-approved
Cleveland Park & Capilano Lake
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Cypress Mountain
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Brockton Point Totem Poles
Indigenous
Statues & Landmarks
Sunset Beach
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Vancouver Lookout
Tours & Attractions
BC Place
Statues & Landmarks
Nightlife & Entertainment
Rogers Arena
Statues & Landmarks
Nightlife & Entertainment
Punjabi Market
Tours & Attractions
Food & Beverage
Little Italy
Tours & Attractions
Food & Beverage
Commercial Drive
Shopping
Food & Beverage
West 4th
Shopping
Food & Beverage
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Tours & Attractions
Thunderbird Stadium
Nightlife & Entertainment
Wreck Beach
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Jericho Beach
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Spanish Banks
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
The Orpheum
Arts, Culture, & History
Chinese Storytelling Centre
Tours & Attractions
Arts, Culture, & History
Chinese Canadian Museum
Tours & Attractions
Arts, Culture, & History
Fort Langley
No items found.
Othello Tunnels
No items found.
Sea to Sky Gondola
No items found.
Britannia Mine Museum
Tours & Attractions
Kid-approved
Shannon Falls Provincial Park
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Arts, Culture, & History
Tours & Attractions
Indigenous
Davie Village
Arts, Culture, & History
Nightlife & Entertainment
Inukshuk Monument
Statues & Landmarks
Indigenous
Fly Over Canada
No items found.
Sam Kee Building
No items found.
Olympic Cauldron
No items found.
Stanley Park
No items found.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Tours & Attractions
Parks, Gardens & Outdoors
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
Arts, Culture, & History
Indigenous
Vancouver Art Gallery
No items found.