Library service on the South Island is split across two systems, and a card from one does not automatically replace the other. Greater Victoria Public Library covers Victoria and several neighbouring municipalities; Vancouver Island Regional Library covers Sidney, North Saanich and Sooke. Holiday hours change. As of November 11, 2026, GVPL’s branch pages said all GVPL branches would be closed that Wednesday for Remembrance Day, and VIRL carried the same notice for its branches, with the eLibrary remaining open.
GVPL’s largest branch, Central, is at 735 Broughton Street in downtown Victoria, 250-940-4875. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The official page lists a 24-hour returns slot, study rooms and pods, a Heritage Room, and an Emerging Local Authors Collection. On the West Shore, the Juan de Fuca branch sits beside the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre at 1759 Island Highway, with the same phone number and the same hours as Central, including Sunday afternoon. GVPL says it is a short walk from the Colwood Exchange.
Farther out, VIRL’s Sidney / North Saanich branch is at 10091 Resthaven Drive, Sidney, 250-656-0944, sidney@virl.bc.ca. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. In Sooke, the Sooke branch is at 6671 Wadams Way, 250-642-3022, sooke@virl.bc.ca, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Other GVPL branches, including Esquimalt, Oak Bay and Saanich locations, are listed at gvpl.ca/branches-hours. VIRL’s full list is at virl.bc.ca/branches.
Good to know
- GVPL Central: 735 Broughton Street. Juan de Fuca: 1759 Island Highway, by the recreation centre.
- VIRL Sidney: 10091 Resthaven Drive. VIRL Sooke: 6671 Wadams Way.
- Confirm holiday hours on the branch page before you go.
Image: Screenshot of the Greater Victoria Public Library Central Branch page.
Photo: Greater Victoria Public Library, Screenshot of official source page, via source.
