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 for all ages. New content is 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 and includes repair information, diagrams, maintenance schedules, parts and labour estimates, and service bulletins and recalls.
ICBC Learn to Drive Smart (Farsi)
Access ICBC's Learn to Drive Smart manual as a PDF, 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 on the current version 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 manuals from Mitchell1, with information about repairs, service, 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 for the written part of the British Columbia driving test. The tests are based on the latest version of ICBC’s Learn to Drive Smart handbook. Please note that the practice questions do not necessarily reflect the nature or difficulty of the questions 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 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 use the database.
- in-library use only
Book recommendations
Novelist Plus
An online readers' advisory which helps readers of all ages to find their favourite fiction and nonfiction books and authors. To learn 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 for all ages. New content is added daily. Learn drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, paper crafts, cake decorating, soap-making, jewelry making, canning and lots more.
Fiero Code
Fiero Code is a self-paced learn-to-code software for youth ages 8 to 18. Hundreds of tutorials and dozens of real-world projects teach coding in these languages:
- Code Blocks (Scratch)
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Python
- SQL
- Available to all NVCL library card holders
- Requires creating a Fiero Code account with your email address
Kanopy Kids
Kanopy Kids provides unlimited access to streaming 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 Kanopy.
- 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. Designed for BC students in grades 3 – 12, Solaro combines 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 assistance, visit Solaro's Student Support page.
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
Tumblebook Library
An collection of animated, talking 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
Provides 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 for adults, teens and children. An excellent source of French ebooks, whether you are fluent in French or just getting started!
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Available on mobile devices with the Aldiko Next app:
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 eight users at a time
Tumblebook Library
An collection of animated, talking 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 a genealogy research resource. It contains census and vital records, baptism, marriage, and burial records, immigration and passport records and other documents from Canada and the rest of the world.
Help is 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 the Yukon to the archives of BC’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)
- Anyone in BC or the Yukon can use this for free, either from home or in the library
Government
BC Building, Fire & Plumbing Codes
Provides 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 regulation of public interest currently in force in BC. Includes 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 information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.
Health & Medicine
Medline Plus
MedlinePlus provides medical information to the general public. It is a service of the US National Library of Medicine, which is part of the US National Institutes of Health, and the world's largest medical library.
Free for anyone to use anywhere
Merck Manual Consumer Version
The Merck manuals are among the world’s most widely used medical information resources. The Consumer Version is intended for the general public. It is clear and easy to understand, and provides information on thousands of health topics.
Free for anyone to use anywhere
Merck Manual Professional Version
The Merck Manuals are among the world’s most widely used medical information resources. The Professional Version is intended for medical professionals and students, providing medical information on thousands of health topics.
Free to use everywhere for anyone
PubMed
PubMed is an index containing over 30 million citations from biomedical journals on medicine, nursing, dentistry and more. Many citations include links to full text articles available for free.
Free for anyone to use anywhere
Languages & ELL
Bibliothèque Numérique de la Colombie-Britannique (French ebooks)
Bibliothèque Numérique de la Colombie-Britannique is a collection of French ebooks for adults, teens and children. An excellent source of French ebooks, whether you are fluent in French or just getting started!
- Log in with any library card registered with NVCL
- Available on mobile devices with the Aldiko Next app:
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. For help, click the tutorial button or see the Mango Languages FAQs.
Mauril
Mauril is a platform for learning English and French through entertaining audio and video from CBC/Radio-Canada — from news, current affairs and documentaries, to comedy, drama and variety. The all-Canadian content provides users with a diverse and culturally relevant learning experience.
Road to IELTS
A comprehensive prep resource for the IELTS test that includes practice exams and more than 100 hours of interactive activities providing advice, hints and tips. 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.
Niche Academy: Library Tutorials
Need help using any of the library's equipment, services or digital resources? Niche Academy contains tutorials on accessing ebooks, audiobooks, the 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 15 tickets per month
- Movies and documentaries are typically 2 – 4 tickets for 48 – 72 hours of access
- TV series and The Great Courses are 5 tickets for 14 – 21 days of access
- Kanopy Kids does not cost any tickets
- 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 the Yukon to the archives of BC’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)
- Anyone in BC or the Yukon can use this for free, either from home or in the library
CBC Corner
CBC Corner is a free digital portal that features a wide variety of content and resources from CBC and its partners, including news, streaming TV, podcasts, radio programs, kids’ content & news, and much more!
- Free for anyone to use anywhere
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 and National geographic. Read online or in the Libby app. Check out OverDrive’s help pages to get started.
- Requires an NVCL card with a barcode that starts with 23287
- All magazines are simultaneous use — no holds or waitlists
- Check out 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 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 five 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.
- 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
- Get the Apple or Android app
Please note: app access is available, but you will need to log in to 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. If you prefer to use the app, you can switch over to the app after you have logged in via the link above.
North Shore Digital Libraries
The North Shore Digital Libraries is a special collection of digitized newspapers from North Vancouver and West Vancouver, including the North Shore News from 1976 to 2000.
Provided in partnership by the North Shore News, North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.
Anyone can use this for free, either from home or in the library
PressReader
PressReader offers 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, and magazines like Maclean's, Chatelaine and Vanity Fair are available just as they appear in print. Learn how to use PressReader by clicking 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.
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 free and can be accessed from any computer
Online learning
Fiero Code
Fiero Code is a self-paced learn-to-code software for youth ages 8 to 18. Hundreds of tutorials and dozens of real-world projects teach coding in these languages:
- Code Blocks (Scratch)
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Python
- SQL
- Available to all NVCL library card holders
- Requires creating a Fiero Code account with your email address
LinkedIn Learning
This iconic service offers professional-level video instruction to develop your business, creative, and technology skills. It offers 15,000 courses and learning paths on subjects including 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. For help, click the tutorial button or see the Mango Languages FAQs.
Niche Academy: Library Tutorials
Need help using any of the library's equipment, services or digital resources? Niche Academy contains tutorials on accessing ebooks, audiobooks, the 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 eight 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 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 materials from the Smithsonian Institution.
- All British Columbians enjoy barrier-free access to this collection
Road to IELTS
A comprehensive prep resource for the IELTS test that includes practice exams and more than 100 hours of interactive activities providing advice, hints and tips. 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. Designed for BC students in grades 3 – 12, Solaro combines 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 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 15 tickets per month in total and Great Courses cost 5 tickets per course.
- 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 the Yukon to the archives of BC’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)
- Anyone in BC or the Yukon can use this for free, either from home or in the library
Merck Veterinary Manual
The Merck Veterinary Manual contains information on thousands of topics for veterinary professionals and students, as well for as pet owners.
Free for anyone to use anywhere
North Shore Digital Libraries
The North Shore Digital Libraries is a special collection of digitized newspapers from North Vancouver and West Vancouver, including the North Shore News from 1976 to 2000.
Provided in partnership by the North Shore News, North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.
Anyone can use this for free, either from home or in the library
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 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 materials from the Smithsonian Institution.
- All British Columbians enjoy barrier-free access to this collection