VPL Mobile App

In order to use the VPL app you will need your VPL library card number (or username) and PIN. Learn more about getting a library card here: Get a library card.

You will also need to register your library card if you have not logged into your My VPL online account before. Learn more here: Your Account (Getting Started: Registration).

Once you're ready, get started with the VPL Mobile App!

1. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play. 
2. Then, open the app and select Log in. 
3. Next, sign in with your library card number or username and PIN.

Once signed in, you can use the app to search for titles, scan your library card digital barcode to borrow items, and more! The app will remember your login information, allowing you to quickly access your account.

You are able to display and scan your digital library card barcode on your mobile device to borrow books at VPL. 

1. To display your barcode, first make sure you are on the home screen by selecting Home on the navigation bar (bottom left icon). 

   Next, tap the Library card icon (located at the top right corner of the home screen).

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2. Your library barcode will now display on your device’s screen and can be scanned at checkout. 

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3. If you have added multiple VPL cards to the app, you can swipe horizontally to view and scan the library card barcode of your choice.

Add Multiple Library Cards

You can add multiple cards to the app to simplify family borrowing, allowing you to easily check account information for multiple VPL cards.  

Note: Share your card information only with family members you trust to have full access to your card. Adding multiple library cards to the app means you're sharing account information with everyone using that device. Each person will have full access to each card added to the app, including the ability to borrow items, change the PIN, view shelves, and more. However, adding multiple library cards to the app does not link the cards together. 

1. To add an additional library card, click the Library card icon (located in the top right corner of the home screen). 

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2. This opens a new screen called ‘My Library Cards’. Click Add card and then sign in with your library card number and PIN.
    
3. Once you have added an additional library card, you can select which card is active by swiping horizontally and selecting Use this card. The card with the label 'In Use' is currently active. 

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Note: If you have installed the app on multiple devices, you will need to add the additional library cards to each device separately.

Remove Library Cards

1. To remove a library card from the app, click the Library card icon (located in the top right corner of the home screen, see Step 1 under 'Add Multiple Library Cards' for a screenshot). 
    
2. This opens a new screen called ‘My Library Cards’. Swipe horizontally to find the card you would like to remove. If the card is in use, you will need to activate a different card (see Step 3 under Add Multiple Library Cards' for how).
    
3. Tap on the ellipsis (three dots located near the top left corner of the screen), and select Remove card.

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4. A pop-up will appear confirming that you would like to remove this card. Select Confirm to remove the card from the app.

Note: If you have given another person access to your library card on their VPL app and no longer want them to have access, changing your library card PIN will deactivate all current logins. 

You can search, borrow, and place holds directly in the app, similar to VPL’s online BiblioCommons catalogue. 

1. To search for an item, select Search on the navigation bar (magnifying glass icon located at the bottom of your screen). 

   Next, use the search bar to search by title, author, or other keywords.

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2. Select Refine (top right corner) to limit your search results using filters. 

   Then, select the filter (or filters) you wish to apply by tapping the down arrow. Some of our favourites are:

   Available Now: Limit results to currently available at a VPL location or online.

   Format: Select the specific format (for example, ebook, large print, audiobook, DVD, video game, and more).

   Audience: Choose from children, teens, or adults. 

   Language: Limit the results to a specific language.

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Note: Advanced search is not available in the VPL app, and is only available in VPL's online BiblioCommons catalogue.

3. Once you have found your desired title, select the desired format. If it is a digital item that is currently available, you can borrow the item by selecting Check Out, and if there are no available copies you will instead see an option to Place Hold.  
    
4. For physical items, choose your desired branch pickup location and select Place Hold. A pop-up will appear, confirming your hold has been placed (you will receive a notification in your preferred method once the item is ready for pickup). 

Note: If you have enabled single-click holds, you will not see an option to select a branch pickup location. Learn how to enable single-click holds in the VPL Catalogue Guide (Holds). 

5. View your due dates and holds by selecting My Borrowing on the navigation bar (located at the bottom of your screen).

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You can customize the app’s home screen to prioritize your favourite content. You can choose to highlight new releases or upcoming library events, or even hide content to simplify your screen!

1. First make sure you are on the home screen by selecting Home on the navigation bar (bottom left icon). 

   Then click the Settings icon (located in the top right corner of the home screen).

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2. Next, select Customize home screen. You will see a list of available sections on your home screen. 

   Use the arrows to move a section up or down, and the checkbox to show or hide each section. A red checked box means the section will be displayed, and an unchecked box means the section will not be displayed.

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3. Once you have finished customizing your home screen, tap on Save changes. You will see a popup indicating your home screen has been updated.

1. Is the VPL app compatible with my device?

The VPL Mobile app is compatible with iPhone/iPad (iOS) and Android devices with: 

• iOS 15 and above, or 
• Android 9.0 (Pie) and above.

You can find information on your iOS or Android version in your device under Settings. 

2. Do I need to be a Vancouver resident to use the VPL app? 

No! All VPL cardholders are able to use the app. However, access to most digital content, including ebooks and audiobooks, are restricted to Vancouver residents. 

Not a resident of Vancouver? Contact your local library to inquire about ebook and audiobook collections that are available to you.

3. Can I renew items in the VPL app? 

Yes! You can renew borrowed items by clicking on the My Borrowing icon on the navigation bar (bottom right of your screen). Next, select Checked Out to view and renew an item. 

Note: You may not be able to renew an item if it is on hold for other patrons, your renewal limit has been exceeded, or you have lost your borrowing privileges.

4. Can I read ebooks and listen to audiobooks directly in the VPL app? 

It depends! VPL offers a wide variety of digital resources. While some digital titles require a separate app to view the item (for example, the Palace Project), many titles in VPL to Go (OverDrive/Libby) can be accessed in browser through the VPL app. 

5. Where do I find branch information in the VPL app? 

Hours and locations for all VPL branches are available from the navigation bar by selecting the Locations icon (bottom right corner of your screen). You can click on an individual branch for more information, including upcoming events and closures. 

6. How do I remove access to a card in the VPL app? 

If you have given another person access to your library card on their app and no longer want them to have access, you can change your library card PIN to logout your account. 

Note: You will need to update your PIN anywhere you are automatically signed in (for example, the Libby app). 

7. What accessibility features does the VPL app have?

The app supports landscape and portrait mode to allow patrons to select the orientation that is most comfortable for them.

The app also supports the use of screen readers (VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android).