Newcomers & immigrants community hub

Welcome to the neighbourhood! City Library is here to help you find the resources and information you need to transition to Canada. Librarians can assist with finding multilingual books and ebooks, connect you with settlement resources or join a conversation circle to practice conversational English.

BC libraries described in 29 languages

Quick links

English Language Learning (ELL) & test prep

Library events for newcomers & immigrants

Discover Canada book

Multilingual collections

The library has a growing collection of multilingual titles, reflective of the most-spoken languages on the North Shore. Browse our multilingual collections.

Listen and read online

Get online test prep help for the IELTS exam, including practice exams, advice, hints and tips

Listen to native speakers while learning a new language with Mango Languages

Resources for immigrants & newcomers

Conversation clubs

Practice conversational English in friendly, small group settings with an experienced facilitator. This program is a great place to meet other newcomers to the community! Check the calendar for upcoming dates.

Immigrant learning circles

Join a small group to learn about a specific topic or event like Canadian cooking, employment mentoring or skills development. Check the calendar for upcoming dates.

Citizenship test prep

The library hosts workshops and classes throughout the year to help you prepare for taking the Canadian Citizenship test. Check the calendar for upcoming dates.

ELL & ESL books

The library's catalogue includes a vast selection of English language learning (ELL) and English as a second language (ESL) resources. The ELL collection is located on the third floor. Browse the catalogue.

NewToBC

A library settlement initiative that connects immigrants, newcomers and refugees with essential settlement information, public libraries and other service provider organizations. Visit the NewToBC website.

NSIIP

The North Shore Immigrant Inclusion Partnership (NSIIP) is a coalition of community agencies and institutions focused on improving the settlement outcomes of new immigrants. Visit the NSIIP website.

Upcoming events for newcomers and immigrants

Immigrants and newcomers

Immigrant seniors' learning circle

Thursday, June 1, 2023, 9:30 am to 11:00 am

Go to event

Immigrants and newcomers

English corner (virtual)—June 2023

Friday, June 2, 2023, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Go to event

Language learning

Beginner English Corner (in-person)

Friday, June 2, 2023, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Go to event

Immigrants and newcomers

Immigrant seniors' learning circle

Monday, June 5, 2023, 9:30 am to 11:00 am

Go to event

Immigrants and newcomers

English conversation circles for the workplace

Monday, June 5, 2023, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Go to event

Immigrants and newcomers

English conversation circles for community connection

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Go to event

Language learning

English Corner (in-person)

Tuesday, June 6, 2023, 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Go to event

Immigrants and newcomers

English corner (virtual)—June 2023

Friday, June 9, 2023, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Go to event

Immigrants and newcomers

Newcomer information session in Farsi جلسه توجیهی برای مهاجرین تازه وارد به زبان فارسی

Friday, June 9, 2023, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm

Go to event

Language learning

Beginner English Corner (in-person)

Friday, June 9, 2023, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Go to event

Back to all events

Read, watch, listen

Specially curated selections from our librarians

Regularly updated lists of books, magazines and movies organized by theme. These include physical items you can borrow from the library and digital items you can enjoy on your devices at home or on the go. Click on a book to learn more or choose your preferred format.

ELL adult fiction ELL nonfiction New immigrants Canadian feature films

Sundiata, the Lion King, and Other Royal Tales

The B-Team: The Case of the Angry First Wife

Amazing Entrepreneurs and Business People [kit]

365 Tips for Newcomers: Your First Year in Canada

Making Canada Home: How Immigrants Shaped This Country

Learn to Drive Smart: Your Guide to Driving Safely.

So You Want to Move to Canada, Eh?: Stuff to Know Before You Go

Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story

You're Hired — Now What?: An Immigrant's Guide to Success in the Canadian Workplace

Welcome to Canada: A Pre-Departure Guide for Immigrants.

Chop Suey Nation: the Legion Cafe and Other Stories from Canada's Chinese Restaurants

The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster

Ghavanin va mogharrarate rahnamaie va ranandegi baraye ranandegan: Rahnamaye ranandegiye iman dar BC.

Swipe to view more

If you have a question, ask us or call 604-998-3450

Newcomers & immigrants community hub

Quick links

Multilingual collections

Listen and read online

Resources for immigrants & newcomers

Conversation clubs

Immigrant learning circles

Citizenship test prep

ELL & ESL books

NewToBC

NSIIP

Upcoming events for newcomers and immigrants

Read, watch, listen

The Three Musketeers

The Great Gatsby

Dracula

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Darkness Rising

The Swimmer

SilverFin

The Black Mountain

White Fang

Sundiata, the Lion King, and Other Royal Tales

Sofia Khan and the Baby Blues

The B-Team: The Case of the Angry First Wife

Slumdog Millionaire

Tiny House, Big Fix

No Return Address

Amazing Entrepreneurs and Business People [kit]

Dalai Lama

Muhammad Ali

Mary, Queen of Scots

The Love of a King

Cleopatra

Helen Keller

Going Solo

Malala Yousafzai

Women Who Changed the World

Stephen Hawking

Climate Change

365 Tips for Newcomers: Your First Year in Canada

Making Canada Home: How Immigrants Shaped This Country

Learn to Drive Smart: Your Guide to Driving Safely.

So You Want to Move to Canada, Eh?: Stuff to Know Before You Go

Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story

Middle Eastern immigrants in Canada

You're Hired — Now What?: An Immigrant's Guide to Success in the Canadian Workplace

Welcome to Canada: A Pre-Departure Guide for Immigrants.

Chop Suey Nation: the Legion Cafe and Other Stories from Canada's Chinese Restaurants

The 2-Hour Job Search: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster

Ghavanin va mogharrarate rahnamaie va ranandegi baraye ranandegan: Rahnamaye ranandegiye iman dar BC.

Barney's Version

Incendies

The stone angel

Before Tomorrow

My Winnipeg

Exotica

Still mine

Dr. Cabbie

Fatima

Nelly

Maria Chapdelaine

Kuessipan

City Library Newsletter