Digital library
The digital library's doors are always open. Here you can find and access ebooks, e-audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, resource guides and lots more. You can even learn a language or a new skill — all from your own living room. We are here to help. Please contact us at 604-998-3450 or info@nvcl.ca if you have a question.
Digital resources by subject
Arts & crafts
Creativebug
Thousands of arts and crafts video classes, with activities for all ages, and new content added daily. Learn drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, paper crafts, cake decorating, soap-making, jewelry making, canning and lots more.
Automotive
Auto Repair Source
Auto Repair Source provides service and repair information for thousands of vehicles. All content comes from the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and includes repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labor estimates, and service bulletins and recalls.
ICBC Learn to Drive Smart (Farsi)
Access ICBC's "Learn to Drive Smart" manual as a PDF.
This resource has been translated into Farsi by a volunteer. This translation is not an ICBC publication and is not an official version of “Learn to Drive Smart.” It may not be based upon the current version of Learn to drive smart published by ICBC. ICBC has not verified the contents of this translation and makes no representation whatsoever as to its accuracy or currency.
ProDemand
Database of automotive repair and service manuals from Mitchell1, which provides information about repairs, maintenance and more. Once you have arrived at the ProDemand home page click the Login button.
- This product is only available in the library.
Tests.ca
Online practice and learning program for the written part of the British Columbia driving test. The practice tests are written using the latest version of ICBC’s Learn to Drive Smart Handbook. Please note that the practice questions do not necessarily reflect the nature or degree of difficulty of the questions found on the actual test. Correctly answering the practice test questions does not guarantee that you will pass the ICBC test.
Vehicle Safety and Inspection Online
Provides current access to vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation from official sources. The product's statement of use is on its home page (above link). Read the statement, and then click "Agree" to proceed to the database.
- in-library use only
Book recommendations
Novelist Plus
An online readers' advisory, which assists readers of fiction and nonfiction of all ages in finding their favourite books and authors. To learn how to use Novelist, click the tutorial button or read the Novelist Plus help page.
- Available to City of North Vancouver residents
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
Children
Creativebug
Thousands of arts and crafts video classes, with activities for all ages, and new content added daily. Learn drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, paper crafts, cake decorating, soap-making, jewelry making, canning and lots more.
Kanopy Kids
Kanopy Kids provides unlimited access to streaming kids' movies, TV shows, and animated picture books for children ages 2 and up. It features a diverse selection of educational and entertaining content.
Please be aware that parents/legal guardians are responsible for their children's use of the Kanopy service.
- Licensed for City of North Vancouver residents only
- Requires creating a Kanopy account with your email address
- Users have unlimited streaming of Kanopy Kids.
- Get the app for your Smart TV or mobile device.
Solaro
Improve your grades and learn faster and smarter with Solaro. Specifically designed for grade 3–12 students in BC, Solaro combines online tutorials in math, science and English with study guides, customizable flash cards and interactive practice questions. You can also track your progress as you go. For additional assistance, visit Solaro's Student Support page.
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
Tumblebook Library
An online collection of animated, talking picture books for grades K–6 including picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, graphic novels, playlists, and books in Spanish and French.
Consumer
BC Building, Fire & Plumbing Codes
Online access to the latest provincial codes. Click "Access BC Codes Online" and choose from the Building, Fire or Plumbing code books.
Use for free from home or in the library.
Consumer Reports
This product provides buying advice, product ratings and reviews, recommendations and money-saving tips. Watch video reviews on items like appliances, cars, electronics, home and garden equipment, health care products and more.
- Log in with any library card registered with City Library
- Available for City of North Vancouver residents
Ebooks & audiobooks
Bibliothèque Numérique de la Colombie-Britannique (French eBooks)
Bibliothèque Numérique de la Colombie-Britannique is a collection of French eBooks containing titles for adults, teens and children. An excellent source of French eBooks, whether you are fluent in French or just getting started learning!
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Available on mobile devices with the Aldiko Next app:
- iOS devices: App Store (Apple)
- Android devices: Play Store (Android)
North Vancouver City Library recognizes the financial support of the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Agreement on French-language Services.
Libby ebooks & e-audiobooks (Overdrive)
Libby (also called Library2Go) is our downloadable eBook, audiobook, and digital magazine service. Read/listen online, or get the Libby app and take them to go! Need help getting started? Check out OverDrive’s help pages.
- Requires an NVCL card with a barcode that starts in 23287
- Maximum of 7 items out at a time and 7 holds at a time
- Download the app for your device at OverDrive's Device Help page
- App available for Apple and Android
O'Reilly Technical ebooks & Video Courses
More than 50,000 ebooks and 30,000 hours of video on technology and business topics including computer programming and consumer technology. This resource also offers learning paths on technical subjects, case studies from top companies, expert playlists and more.
- Available to City of North Vancouver residents
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Maximum 8 users at a time
Tumblebook Library
An online collection of animated, talking picture books for grades K–6 including picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, graphic novels, playlists, and books in Spanish and French.
Genealogy
Ancestry Library Edition
Ancestry Library Edition is an online genealogy research resource. It contains census and vital records, baptism, marriage, and burial records, immigration and passport records and other documents from Canada, USA, and all over the world.
Additional support available on Ancestry Library Edition's help guide
- This product is only available in the library.
BC Historical Newspapers
The BC Historical Newspapers collection provides free access for anyone in BC or Yukon to the historical archives of British Columbia’s three major daily newspapers from the start of their publication up to 2010:
- The Vancouver Sun (1912 to 2010)
- The Times-Colonist (1884 to 2010)
- The Province (1894 to 2010)
- Use for free from home or in library for anyone in BC or Yukon
Government
BC Building, Fire & Plumbing Codes
Online access to the latest provincial codes. Click "Access BC Codes Online" and choose from the Building, Fire or Plumbing code books.
Use for free from home or in the library.
BC Laws
Find every public act, and every regulation of general public interest, currently in force in BC, including new and recently amended laws that have yet to be published in official print formats. This current consolidation is an unofficial version of BC statutes and regulations. For support, see the BC Laws FAQ and glossary.
BC Stats
The BC Statistics portal contains both a public site and a secure subscription-based site that is only available in the library. Provides statistics for a range of topics including demographics and employment.
- This resource is only available in the library.
Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.
Languages & ELL
Bibliothèque Numérique de la Colombie-Britannique (French eBooks)
Bibliothèque Numérique de la Colombie-Britannique is a collection of French eBooks containing titles for adults, teens and children. An excellent source of French eBooks, whether you are fluent in French or just getting started learning!
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Available on mobile devices with the Aldiko Next app:
- iOS devices: App Store (Apple)
- Android devices: Play Store (Android)
North Vancouver City Library recognizes the financial support of the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Agreement on French-language Services.
Mango Languages
Welcome to Mango Languages. Learn dozens of languages online, or via the app. Once you have logged in, create a profile to track your learning, or proceed in 'guest' mode. Learn how to use Mango Languages: click the tutorial button, or use the Mango Languages FAQs
Road to IELTS
A comprehensive online prep resource for IELTS test including practice exams and more than 100 hours of interactive activities like advice, hints and tips on question types. There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic, which is needed to apply for some universities or professional registrations, and General, which is required for certain kinds of immigration programs in Canada. Use Road to IELTS as a guest, or create a free ClarityEnglish account to track your progress on practice exams.
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Works best on desktop/laptop computers
- Not compatible with the Internet Explorer browser
- Access/functionality on mobile devices may be limited
Library help
Interlibrary loans: Illume
Use the Illume database to find a book that isn't in the City Library collection and request it via interlibrary loan.
Click here to learn more about how to request an interlibrary loan.
Niche Academy: Library Tutorials
Need help with using any of the library's digital collections, or other equipment/services? Niche Academy contains a collection of tutorials on library services and resources, including ebooks and audiobooks, the online catalogue, printing, Wi-Fi and more. No login required — start learning right away.
Movies, TV & video
Kanopy
Kanopy is an on-demand video streaming service which provides access to over 20,000 documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, educational videos, and more. Kanopy has an extensive selection of kids movies and TV shows. It also includes the Great Courses, a lecture series taught by award-winning experts and professors. Includes content in over 100 languages.
- Licensed for City of North Vancouver residents only
- Requires creating a Kanopy account with your email address
- Users have access to 5 videos per month, 2 Great Courses per month, and unlimited streaming of Kanopy Kids.
- Get the app for your Smart TV or mobile device.
Newspapers & magazines
BC Historical Newspapers
The BC Historical Newspapers collection provides free access for anyone in BC or Yukon to the historical archives of British Columbia’s three major daily newspapers from the start of their publication up to 2010:
- The Vancouver Sun (1912 to 2010)
- The Times-Colonist (1884 to 2010)
- The Province (1894 to 2010)
- Use for free from home or in library for anyone in BC or Yukon
Libby Magazines (Overdrive)
NOTE: The Economist is no longer available through Libby Magazines and can now be accessed through PressReader.
Libby (also called Library2Go) has a rich collection of digital magazines, including hundreds of popular titles such as Newsweek, Star Magazine, The Economist, and National geographic. Read online, or get the Libby app and take them to go! Check out OverDrive’s help pages to get started.
- Requires an NVCL card with a barcode that starts in 23287
- All magazines are simultaneous use - no holds or wait lists
- Checkout an unlimited number of magazines
- 21-day checkout period
- Download the app for your device at OverDrive's Device Help page
- App available for Apple and Android
New York Times Online
Access to the current and past articles from The New York Times, including the U.S., Canadian and International editions. Also includes access to the Archives from 1851-2002, with 5 pdf downloads per day allowed from the 1923-1980 date range (off-site access only). Read more about the NYT Archives. New York Times Crosswords and Cooking are not included in library access.
- Logging in with the "access" link above provides free access for 24 hours, after which you will need to log in again via the link above to reset your Library access token.
- There is a daily limit on the number of users who can access the Library's New York Times subscription
- Requires creating a New York Times account with your email address
Please note: app access is available, but you will need to log into this webpage first via the link above each day to renew your access token. We recommend reading on your browser instead of the app for this reason, but if you prefer the reading experience on the app you can switch to the Apple or Android app to read after you have logged in via the link above.
PressReader
Access an endless stream of stories from top newspapers and popular magazines from around the world to read, discuss, and share. Newspapers like the Vancouver Sun, the Province, and National Post, available online, just as they were published. Magazines like Maclean's, Chatelaine and Vanity Fair are also available just as they appear in print. Learn how to use PressReader: click the tutorial button above, or view the PressReader help center.
Please note: The Globe and Mail is only available on library computers, or when using the library's "Libair" Wi-Fi network. It is not available outside the library.
Sing Tao Daily
Sing Tao Daily is an online Chinese language newspaper based in Canada. It publishes editions for Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.
- Sing Tao Daily is a free resource and can be accessed from any computer.
Online learning
LinkedIn Learning
This iconic service offers professional-level video instruction to develop your business, creative, and technology skills. LinkedIn Learning offers 15,000 courses and learning paths on subjects including computer software, programming, audio and music production, photography, design, marketing, and 3D animation.
Mango Languages
Welcome to Mango Languages. Learn dozens of languages online, or via the app. Once you have logged in, create a profile to track your learning, or proceed in 'guest' mode. Learn how to use Mango Languages: click the tutorial button, or use the Mango Languages FAQs
Niche Academy: Library Tutorials
Need help with using any of the library's digital collections, or other equipment/services? Niche Academy contains a collection of tutorials on library services and resources, including ebooks and audiobooks, the online catalogue, printing, Wi-Fi and more. No login required — start learning right away.
O'Reilly Technical ebooks & Video Courses
More than 50,000 ebooks and 30,000 hours of video on technology and business topics including computer programming and consumer technology. This resource also offers learning paths on technical subjects, case studies from top companies, expert playlists and more.
- Available to City of North Vancouver residents
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Maximum 8 users at a time
Points to the Past
Points to the Past is a world-class collection of primary sources, made up of nearly 200 million pages of digitized historical content – maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, and much more. Researchers are free to explore a vast range of resources including Eighteenth Century and Nineteenth Century Collections Online, esteemed periodicals such as the Economist and the Financial Times, and digitized materials from the Smithsonian Institution.
- All British Columbians enjoy barrier-free access to this collection.
Road to IELTS
A comprehensive online prep resource for IELTS test including practice exams and more than 100 hours of interactive activities like advice, hints and tips on question types. There are two types of IELTS tests: Academic, which is needed to apply for some universities or professional registrations, and General, which is required for certain kinds of immigration programs in Canada. Use Road to IELTS as a guest, or create a free ClarityEnglish account to track your progress on practice exams.
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Works best on desktop/laptop computers
- Not compatible with the Internet Explorer browser
- Access/functionality on mobile devices may be limited
Solaro
Improve your grades and learn faster and smarter with Solaro. Specifically designed for grade 3–12 students in BC, Solaro combines online tutorials in math, science and English with study guides, customizable flash cards and interactive practice questions. You can also track your progress as you go. For additional assistance, visit Solaro's Student Support page.
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
The Great Courses on Kanopy
The Great Courses series is a part of the Kanopy video streaming service. It features a large selection of lectures on a wide variety of topics. Lectures are presented by award-winning experts and professors from respected institutions.
- Licensed for City of North Vancouver residents only
- Requires creating a Kanopy account with your email address
- Users have access to 2 Great Courses per month.
- Get the app for your Smart TV or mobile device.
Research
Academic Search Elite
Designed to meet academic research needs, Academic Search Elite provides access to nearly 1,600 active full-text journals and magazines, and more than 1,300 full-text peer-reviewed journals.
BC Historical Newspapers
The BC Historical Newspapers collection provides free access for anyone in BC or Yukon to the historical archives of British Columbia’s three major daily newspapers from the start of their publication up to 2010:
- The Vancouver Sun (1912 to 2010)
- The Times-Colonist (1884 to 2010)
- The Province (1894 to 2010)
- Use for free from home or in library for anyone in BC or Yukon
Points to the Past
Points to the Past is a world-class collection of primary sources, made up of nearly 200 million pages of digitized historical content – maps, photos, newspapers, manuscripts, pamphlets, portraits, and much more. Researchers are free to explore a vast range of resources including Eighteenth Century and Nineteenth Century Collections Online, esteemed periodicals such as the Economist and the Financial Times, and digitized materials from the Smithsonian Institution.
- All British Columbians enjoy barrier-free access to this collection.