Accessible Services

Services for Individuals

Accessible Services provides library materials to patrons with mobility challenges and/or print disabilities who live in the City of Vancouver. Live-in primary caregivers may also be eligible. Qualifying patrons will be signed up for a type of Vancouver Public Library card with additional features, known as an ‘Accessible Services’ card.

If you think you could benefit from these services, please fill out our registration form below and email it to accessible@vpl.ca, or bring it in to any VPL location.

Accessible Services Registration Form

More detailed information on our services can be found below. You can also call 604.331.4100 or e-mail accessible@vpl.ca and we would be happy to answer your questions. If these services don’t quite fit your needs, please reach out and we can discuss a solution to help you access the library in a way that works for you.

Home Delivery

VPL’s Home Delivery Service brings the Library to you. If you are unable to visit your local VPL branch, we will deliver any circulating materials the library has available to loan, right to your home. Library materials come in a wide variety of languages and formats and you get to take part in the selection process, deciding on your favourite titles and authors.

In order to qualify for free Home Delivery, you must be:

• Registered with Accessible Services
• A Vancouver resident
• Unable to visit your local VPL branch or carry materials home for a minimum of three months due to an illness, injury or disability

Delivery Process:

• Deliveries go out every 4 weeks for drop-off and pickup
• Dedicated routes mean that if you miss your delivery you may have to wait four weeks until the service is back in your neighbourhood

VPL’s Collection for Patrons with Print Disabilities

VPL holds a collection of MP3 audiobooks, digital audiobooks, and accessible technology reserved for patrons with print disabilities.

A print disability is one that prevents or inhibits a person from reading conventional print. It can be the result of:

• a learning disability, such as a perceptual disorder that impacts reading ability
• a physical disability, such as the inability to hold or manipulate a book
• a visual disability, such as vision loss or the inability to focus or move one’s eyes

These materials can be made available to you for local branch pickup or sent to you through Canada Post.

Services for Care Facilities

Book Deposit

Book Deposit provides a free delivery service of books and materials for individuals to share in care facilities, day centres, or hospital units. This service offers a variety of library materials such as books, DVDs, and magazines selected by library staff on a four-week delivery schedule.

Book Deposit Registration Form

Please email the completed form to accessible@vpl.ca

Visit Us!

The Accessible Services Department is located in VPL’s Central Library at 350 W Georgia St. To get to our staff and collections, enter the main library doors and go up the elevator or escalator one floor to Level 3. Accessible Services is located to the right of the information desk and main computer area.

Building Features and Transit

• Adjustable service desk
• Mobility-device accessible washroom on Level 2 - grab bar and key-enabled automatic door
• Underground parking below library with designated parking and elevator up to the main entrance, parkade entrance near Robson on Hamilton Street
• Nearest bus stop on Robson Street at Hamilton, accessible by 17 Downtown
• HandyDART stop on Hamilton Street with wheelchair access to Robson Street entrance of the Promenade