Canada
British Columbia
Vancouver
Things to Do in Vancouver
Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)
See all things to do

Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)

See all things to do
See all things to do
Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)
4.5
#16 of 466 things to do in Vancouver
Libraries
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
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
Write a review
About
A striking modern building contains over 130 photo albums on the history of the city.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)
See all
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Robson Street
Robson Street is a shopper's paradise. Whether a window shopper or a serious trendsetter, a fashionista or a dabbler, the crowd of independent boutiques, quirky one-off shops, and well-known luxury brands on Robson Street have something to cater for every itch in your wallet. As a result, it draws a diverse crowd, and the people-watching along this famous walking thoroughfare is a primary attraction. In between the clothing shops both high-street and budget-friendly are a number of cafes to lay down your load, as well as numerous specialty stores ranging in their wares from music, to art, to city souvenirs. Known as "Vancouver's Runway," if a new trend is on the rise, you'd spot it here first.
How to get there
  • Vancouver City Centre • 5 min walk
  • Granville • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,779 within 3 miles
Glowbal
2,142
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Lupo Restaurant
855
0.1 mi$$$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Tuscan
Cafe Medina
1,693
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Mediterranean • Canadian
Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
547
491 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Canadian
Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
903
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Canadian
Jam Cafe YVR
797
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Canadian
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Dunsmuir
1,125
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
Homer St. Cafe and Bar
468
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Gastropub • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Chambar
1,541
0.3 mi$$$$ • Belgian • European • Vegetarian Friendly
JINYA Ramen Bar - Vancouver
366
348 ft$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Asian • Soups
See all
Attractions
498 within 6 miles
Book Mark
1
88 ftLibraries
Canada Line
345
0.1 miPublic Transportation Systems
Library Square
270
368 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts
21
263 ftTheaters
Wind Wheel Mobile
1
504 ftMonuments & Statues
Vancouver Public Library - Renfrew Branch
1
504 ftLibraries
Vancouver Public Library - Collingwood Branch
1
504 ftLibraries
Republic Gallery
1
426 ftArt Galleries
Artstarts
1
0.1 miArt Galleries
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
197
0.2 miReligious Sites
See all
See what travelers are saying
  • deepakgupta5
    Vancouver, Canada601 contributions
    Beautiful library located in downtown Vancouver
    This is a beautiful library located in downtown Vancouver, minutes away from the hustle ad bustle of Robson Street. It has a very nice architecture, lots of space, and lots of books. A lovely place to relax and spend time with the books. There is a nice roof top restaurant also for some great views of the city
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 5, 2023
  • Jennifer L
    Tamworth, Australia26 contributions
    A quiet haven in the middle of the city.
    Our B&B hosts recommended a visit to the library and it did not disappoint. A beautiful building inside and out with wonderful shops and places to eat on the bottom floor. The library was amazing with quiet areas for people to utilise their free wifi and one floor dedicated to computer access. The roof top garden offers more quiet seating areas with great views of the city. The clean washrooms and chilled water stations were an added bonus.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 22, 2023
  • I9917TWbarbaram
    26 contributions
    Colosseum in modern day
    The exterior of the building and the roof are amazing. However, the interior is very mundane. The city where I live and another city near us have updated their central libraries in the last few years. They created unique/dramatic exteriors and the insides, while still very functional, are gorgeous. In other words, the inside and outside match each other. I can't say the same for the Vancouver Central Library.
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 20, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,305 reviews
Excellent
787
Very good
429
Average
77
Poor
8
Terrible
4
I9917TWbarbaram
26 contributions
Colosseum in modern day
Aug 2023
The exterior of the building and the roof are amazing. However, the interior is very mundane. The city where I live and another city near us have updated their central libraries in the last few years. They created unique/dramatic exteriors and the insides, while still very functional, are gorgeous. In other words, the inside and outside match each other. I can't say the same for the Vancouver Central Library.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BSBrenda
Guanajuato, Mexico207 contributions
my place / mi lugar
Jan 2021
What a beautiful building, enormous, full of books and people from different cultures. If I live in Vancouver, I would be in there all time. (jan 2020)

Qué hermoso edificio, enorme, lleno de libros y personas de diferentes culturas. Si viviera en Vancouver, estaría ahí todo el tiempo. (enero 2020)
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
c_kamaee
Manchester, UK13 contributions
Lovely building.
May 2022
Visited on a Sunday, yet it was open for patrons. Large and airy with lots of seating areas where you could browse the books and magazines. I was particularly impressed by the "Help Wall" with its messages of support for the community.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deepakgupta5
Vancouver, Canada601 contributions
Beautiful library located in downtown Vancouver
Mar 2023
This is a beautiful library located in downtown Vancouver, minutes away from the hustle ad bustle of Robson Street. It has a very nice architecture, lots of space, and lots of books. A lovely place to relax and spend time with the books. There is a nice roof top restaurant also for some great views of the city
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pyramid42
22 contributions
For a public building, this is particularly lovely
May 2022
Just a little walk through, not to check out a book, but just to have a look. Vancouver is full of interesting buildings, even if you're not into architecture. It's in the downtown area, right at the HoponHopOff bus, so easy to find. Worth it.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosalia S
Madrid, Spain6 contributions
Great place to visit and pleasant to work there
Jun 2022
This is a surprising place. I enjoyed the architecture and walking there. Nice for a rainy day. Besides I was at the end of my travel and in the need to do some computer work, and the place was perfect for it. Plenty of tables, quiet rooms full of other people studying, really inspiring.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alistair B
Delta, Canada39,355 contributions
So many levels to this place.
Nov 2011 • Solo
I have enjoyed visiting this building more than a few times it's a different set up compared to most libraries with the 6-7 storeys it has.The selection of materials available here is impressive though with some things like music and dvds it might lag a little behind West Vancouver and the beautiful main North Vancouver library.This place is always busy even on a Sunday with people from the Suburbs and even tourists going there i would suggest if you're from out of town or are in Downtown for the day to check it out it won't cost you a penny.
Written May 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenneth Angus M
Vancouver, Canada10 contributions
Poverty
Apr 2018 • Solo
This library is chalk dull of poor people who are lazy taking care of their personal hygiene and belongings. Makes me sick. Get a job and then come back to the library looking decent and respectful. Until then your not ever welcome at the library.
Written April 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TeamWard
Nottingham, UK5,175 contributions
Nice rooftop
Jun 2022 • Family
Visit the Vancouver Public Central Library use the lift and go to floor 9 to see across the Vancouver rooftops and a rooftop garden, very nice
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sipari_traveller
Edmonton, Canada286 contributions
A must see!
Nov 2018 • Couples
This beautifully designed library should be visited by anyone who really appreciates architecture. There is also a 'secret' rooftop garden with good city views.
Written November 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 924
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch)
According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch):

Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch) Information

Excellent Reviews

787

Very Good Reviews

429

Vancouver Public Library (Central Library Branch) Photos

333