Maybe you’ve carefully perused all the places to find fiction on campus but your next great read is still nowhere in sight. Or, maybe you’re looking for an assigned text but it’s currently loaned out to another student. Where else can you find books? Here are my top four places to get fiction (and non-fiction) off-campus!
Vancouver Public Library
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The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is one of my favorite places in the city – and I’m not just saying that because I’m an English major! The library is an amazing public resource for not only getting digital and physical books in sixteen world languages, but also borrowing musical instruments, booking study rooms, using software like Adobe After Effects, and more!
VPL has 21 locations across the city, and of these different branches, the West Point Grey branch is the closest to the UBC campus, followed by the Kitsilano branch and the Dunbar branch.
Getting a library card at VPL is as simple as visiting one of the library locations with an I.D. (such as a BC Services Card or Driver’s License). You can also register online for a temporary card if you are a resident of Vancouver. More details about how to register can be found on their website.
Public Libraries in Neighbouring Cities
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Have you ever been dying to know what happens in a sequel, but it is all loaned out at your nearest library? Desperate times call for desperate measures – my next step is always to look at the libraries in neighbouring cities.
I usually check the Richmond Public Library and the Burnaby Public Library, which are both generally a thirty-minute drive away from the UBC Campus or an hour away by public transit.
These branches also offer their own array of amazing services. For example, the Richmond Public Library has 3D printers and laser cutters, while the Burnaby Public Library grants access to LinkedIn Learning and light therapy lamps.
Little Free Libraries
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Ever seen those cute little boxes filled with books scattered around the city? Some are even on the UBC campus! These are called Little Free Libraries and they are book exchanges for anyone who stumbles across one. Take any book from the library or add any book; there’s no need to worry about due dates or late fees.
Books in these libraries can range across any genre, language, or target audience, such as: children’s books, recipe books, horror stories, science fiction, and more! They’re an amazing place to visit if you have old books you want to give up or if you’re looking for your next great read.
You can find the Little Free Library closest to you by using their map.
Other University Libraries
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Did you know that UBC students can borrow material at other university libraries? The UBC Library is a member of the Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement (CURBA), which is a national interlibrary agreement that grants UBC students, faculty, and staff the ability to borrow material at other participating libraries.
This means that UBC students can borrow material from Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, B.C. Institute of Technology, and other libraries across the province or even the country (e.g., participating libraries of the Ontario Council of University Libraries or the Council of Atlantic University Libraries)!
In order to access this service, present your current UBC card at the Koerner Library circulation desk. You will be issued a COPPUL card, which you present at the university library where you are seeking privileges.
More information about this can be found on the UBC Library webpage on Reciprocal Borrowing.
Hopefully this list of my favorite places to find fiction off-campus was helpful. If you have any places I missed, please leave them in the comment section below!
