2024 Annual Report
Message from the Board Chair and CEO We are honoured to present the Greater Victoria Public Library’s 2024 Annual Report. This year, GVPL continued to grow as a vital place of learning, connection, and inclusion for all members of our community. A major achievement in 2024 was the permanent removal of overdue fines. By eliminating this longstanding financial barrier, we made the library more accessible and welcoming to everyone. Our staff played a crucial role in guiding this transition, and the positive response from the community has been both inspiring and affirming. Equity and access remained at the core of our mission. Our menstrual equality initiative entered its second year, with over 18,000 free period products distributed in public and staff washrooms. Programs like The Literacy Circle, delivered in partnership with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, and monthly ID Clinics, run in collaboration with the Community Social Planning Council, offered direct and meaningful support to those who need it most. Our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, cultural understanding, and civic engagement remained unwavering. We fostered public learning through curated displays, booklists, and reading recommendations marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Islamic History Month, and World Refugee Day. In December, we gathered with the community to honour the closure of the Nellie McClung Branch as preparations began for a three-year redevelopment project. To ensure continued access to library services during construction, we opened the Nellie McClung Express Branch in March 2025, maintaining our presence in the community. Looking back on 2024, we are proud of the accomplishments we made together. We are deeply grateful to our staff, community partners, and supporters whose dedication sustains and strengthens the library as a trusted and welcoming public space.
With warm regards, Shahira Khair, 2025 Board Chair
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Maureen Sawa, Chief Executive Officer
2024 Greater Victoria Public Library Board, Appointees by Municipality Central Saanich
Saanich
Councillor Bob Thompson
Matthew Boyd
Colwood
Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff
Councillor Ian Ward
Esquimalt
Joy Davis
Art Pollard Nik White
Councillor Duncan Cavens
Victoria
Highlands
Councillor Susan Kim
Councillor Karel Roessingh
Langford Rebecca McClure
Councillor Mark Morley
Metchosin
Shahira Khair (Vice Chair) Scott Lansdowne Ramesh Ranjan
Andrea Zeelie-Varga
View Royal Councillor Gery Lemon
Councillor Shelly Donaldson
Oak Bay Councillor Andrew Appleton (Chair)
Greater Victoria Public Library’s service area is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Songhees and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt) Nations, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations of SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), and the SC’IȺNEW (Beecher Bay) Nation. Colonization and systemic racism still impact the lives of Indigenous Peoples today. Their historical and cultural relationship with the land and sea continues as they steward these sacred lands as they have since time immemorial.
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2024 By the Numbers This snapshot highlights the remarkable ways our community engaged with GVPL over the past year. Every new membership, visit, borrowed book, digital download, computer session, and program participant reflects the library’s essential role as a trusted public resource. These numbers show more than activity. They demonstrate how GVPL supports learning, fosters connection, and provides access to information that enriches the lives of people of all ages across our community.
147,840 CARDHOLDERS (as of December 31, 2024.) Reflects sustained trust, relevance, and community connection.
23,189+ NEW CARDHOLDERS Thousands gained new access to reading, learning, and discovery.
1,843,553 IN-PERSON VISITS Confirms our libraries’ role as vital public spaces for learning and connection.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
1,613,754 VISITS TO GVPL.CA
180,244 PUBLIC COMPUTER LOGINS Public computers at the library remain a vital community resource.
9,000+ BC SUMMER READING CLUB PARTICIPANTS. Represents children building skills, confidence, and a love of reading.
2,565,512 DIGITAL ITEMS BORROWED
3,743,384 PHYSICAL ITEMS BORROWED Demonstrates enduring demand for books and physical materials.
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Expanding Digital Access, Supporting Lifelong Learning In 2024, we continued to advance digital equity by delivering accessible, relevant, and responsive online services that support learners of all ages. Whether promoting early literacy, lifelong learning, or personal
including News, Cooking, and Games, we recorded over 81,000 user sessions in 2024. This service has
been especially well used by students and younger adults, reinforcing our role as a trusted gateway to credible and engaging online resources.
enrichment, our digital tools and programs enabled patrons to connect, explore, and grow at their own pace and on their own terms. A major milestone this year was reaching one
million OverDrive checkouts three months earlier
than in 2023. GVPL remains one of only 152 public libraries worldwide to achieve this level of digital engagement. This continued growth reflects the community’s trust in our online collections and
our commitment to expanding access to reading,
Digital access at GVPL also creates opportunities
branches.
initiatives such as OverDrive’s Big Library Read
research, and entertainment beyond our physical
for shared learning and connection. Through
and BC Libraries Present, we invite patrons to participate in collective reading and learning
experiences that bring people together across platforms, interests, and generations.
GVPL also remained a leader in digital content
Our commitment to digital literacy extends beyond
Columbia to offer full access to NYTimes.com,
public computers by adding more workstations
delivery. As the first public library in British
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
access to content. In 2024, we improved access to
As the first public library in British Columbia to offer full access to NYTimes.com, including News, Cooking, and Games, we recorded over 81,000 user sessions in 2024.
across the system. Public computers at the library remain a vital community resource, offering free access to technology and the internet. From
educational materials to job applications, government information, and health services, they help ensure that everyone can participate fully in today’s digital society.
We also advanced the development of a new library website. Work began in 2024 to engage experienced
professionals to help design a site that will be easier to navigate, more inclusive, and better equipped to meet the evolving needs of the community.
FastReads for Kids: A New Chapter in Digital Literacy Launched in summer 2024, FastReads for Kids
was created in response to growing demand for
accessible, high-interest children’s content. Modeled after the popular adult version, this digital shelf
features shorter loan periods that increase availability and reduce wait times. Whether discovering a new
graphic novel, diving into a fantasy story, or reading aloud with family, young readers now have a quick
and easy way to stay engaged. This initiative reflects GVPL’s commitment to supporting youth literacy in fun, inclusive, and forward-thinking ways.
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Strengthening Connections, Celebrating Community Throughout the year, we continued to build meaningful connections across Greater Victoria through inclusive programming, responsive partnerships, and creative outreach. These efforts reflected our ongoing commitment to show up in community spaces, amplify local voices, and make the library’s presence felt far beyond our walls. In 2024, more than 9,000 children participated
in the BC Summer Reading Club (BC SRC) at GVPL, reflecting strong community engagement and a
shared commitment to early literacy. The program
encouraged children to keep reading during
the summer through themed activities,
reading logs, and in-person and
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
digital programs, including a well-attended visit at
the Oak Bay Branch by Victoria-based artist Meneka Repka, the official 2024 BC SRC illustrator. Each
child who completed all seven weeks received a
medal, celebrating their achievement and reinforcing the library’s role in supporting literacy and learning from the earliest years.
Another highlight this year was the launch of the 9th
annual Emerging Local Authors
Collection, which showcased more than 140 titles by over 125 authors and illustrators. This homegrown collection offers a platform for diverse voices and celebrates the storytelling talent of our
community. It also strengthens our role as a champion of local
culture, bridging the gap between creators and readers.
Throughout the year, GVPL participated in a range of
community events, including National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, the Greater Victoria
Indigenous Back to School Picnic, the 7th annual Folktoria festival, and the Esquimalt Neighbourhood Party. These gatherings provided opportunities to engage with residents directly, share information about library services, and foster relationships rooted in mutual learning.
Our StoryWalks program remained a popular way to engage families and support early
literacy. In 2024, 31 books were featured in parks and public spaces, including new titles by
Indigenous authors. The program encouraged outdoor activity and cultural understanding through accessible, self-guided reading
experiences. At Uptown Boulevard, outside the Emily Carr Branch, a single StoryWalk event
drew over 75 participants, illustrating the strong interest in programs that bring books into everyday community life.
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In February, GVPL formally recognized
the Friends of the Greater Victoria Public Library for nearly 70 years of dedicated volunteer service. Their longstanding
support has helped make the library more welcoming and responsive, enriching the
experience for patrons across generations.
On the Air with All Points West Our partnership with CBC Radio’s All Points West brought the library’s voice to listeners across
Vancouver Island. Each month, GVPL librarians join host Jason D’Souza to share reading
recommendations, promote seasonal programs, and invite audiences to engage with their local library in new ways. The regular segment has
become a trusted touchpoint with the community,
helping extend our reach beyond physical branches and reinforcing GVPL’s role as an accessible and relevant presence in people’s daily lives.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Reimagining Access, Redefining Service In 2024, we advanced our commitment to equity and inclusion by removing barriers
quiet but powerful changes helping to normalize equity in public spaces.
and expanding access across the library system. These actions were shaped by listening to our community, learning from staff experiences, and designing solutions that reflect the diverse
Internally, we strengthened our service foundations by launching the GVPL Learning Hub. This centralized
platform brings together essential onboarding, safety,
needs of those we serve.
and professional development resources. Whether
One of the most transformative changes was
employees looking to deepen their skills, the Learning
Long recognized as a deterrent to library use, fines
professionalism across departments and branches.
By removing them, GVPL sent a clear message:
learning as a key driver of excellent service.
used by new staff learning the ropes or experienced
the permanent elimination of overdue fines.
Hub reinforces a shared standard of care and
disproportionately affected those least able to pay.
It also reflects our ongoing investment in staff
everyone belongs at the library. Patrons responded
with appreciation and renewed trust, returning to our spaces with confidence and borrowing more freely.
During the year, we proudly provided welcoming spaces for important community services such as
The Literacy Circle, in partnership with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, and the monthly
ID Clinics, offered in collaboration with the
Community Social Planning Council. By hosting
these programs, the library is supporting equitable access to essential resources and helping address practical needs within our community.
We also continued to prioritize health equity
through the second year of our menstrual equality initiative. More than 18,000 free period products
were made available in 2024 in all public and staff washrooms. The initiative, shaped by community
research and frontline staff feedback, helps ensure that a basic health need is met in a consistent,
accessible, and respectful way. It is one of several
Fine-Free, One Year In: Strengthening Access and Community Trust One year after removing overdue fines, GVPL has become an even more
FAREWELL, OVERDUE FINES!
welcoming and accessible community hub. Families picking up storybooks, students exploring new ideas, and
seniors reconnecting with resources are borrowing freely and returning with confidence, without worry about
THE LIBRARY IS
penalties. Staff are able to spend more time helping patrons discover
resources, learn new skills, and connect with library programs.
By removing fines, the library has shifted the focus from penalties to participation, supporting equity,
encouraging lifelong learning, and reinforcing its role as an inclusive, community-centred public service.
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Fostering Safe, Inclusive, and Respectful Spaces In 2024, we deepened our commitment to creating
library spaces where everyone feels safe, respected,
and welcomed. Public libraries are shared community spaces, and it is our responsibility to ensure that all
individuals can access them with confidence, dignity, and belonging. This understanding guided much of our work throughout the year.
In January, staff were invited to participate in the
2024 Work Environment Survey (WES), a follow-up to the inaugural survey launched in 2021. The
survey continues to provide valuable insights that help guide efforts to strengthen staff engagement and workplace culture.
In April, GVPL conducted a system-wide Violence Risk Assessment to proactively identify potential
threats and reinforce safety across all locations.
The findings are informing the development of a
comprehensive Violence Risk Prevention Program. With the guidance of safety and security experts, we enhanced incident response protocols and
increased staff awareness of local risk patterns.
These measures represent important steps toward
ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for everyone. Together, these efforts reflect our
commitment to fostering a positive workplace and
providing a welcoming, secure library experience for the community.
Progress continued on the development of GVPL’s first Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Strategy. Informed by staff focus groups,
surveys, and guidance from external advisors, the
Updated Policy Reflects Commitment to Safety and Respect In 2024, GVPL’s Board of Trustees approved a
revised Responsibilities of Library Users policy
following extensive consultation and legal review. The updated policy reflects the evolving realities of library service and reaffirms our commitment
to respectful and equitable public spaces. It clarifies staff authority in responding to disruptive
behaviour and supports a consistent approach across all branches. An interpretation guide,
developed to accompany the policy, offers staff practical tools and examples for applying it in their daily work. To ensure ongoing relevance, the Board has committed to reviewing the policy annually.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
strategy will serve as a roadmap for embedding
events such as Refugee Rights Day, National
and decision-making. The involvement of senior
Transgender Day of Visibility through in-branch
equity across the organization’s culture, services, leadership throughout this process reinforced the
importance of a coordinated and sustained approach to meaningful change.
Our commitment to belonging also extended
AccessAbility Week, and the International
displays, curated reading lists, and outreach
initiatives. These efforts reflected the diversity of
the community and affirmed the library’s role as a
place for connection, understanding, and inclusion.
outward. Throughout the year, GVPL recognized
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Feedback From Our Community Each year, we are fortunate to receive thoughtful messages from library patrons, community partners, sponsors, and donors. Whether someone is borrowing their first book, supporting a child’s literacy journey, or contributing to a program that enriches the lives of others, their words reflect the deep and lasting impact of public libraries. We are grateful for the support and encouragement we receive from across Greater Victoria. Thank you for
your kind words, your generosity, and your continued belief in the power of public libraries to inform, connect, and inspire. Here is a small selection of the kind and thoughtful feedback we received in 2024.
During Random Acts of Kindness Week, library users contributed messages of encouragement and positivity, creating a communal display that reflects GVPL’s welcoming role in the community.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT
A patron’s note left on the final day of operation at the Nellie McClung Branch reflects the community’s appreciation for 48 years of service. The branch closed on December 14 to allow for the construction of a new, modern library that will better meet the community’s needs.
“Huge, quiet, and free… what’s not to like?” -Scott M.
“I’ve been going to this library
since I was a kid. Staff was very
helpful when I renewed my card so I could set up my library card on my E-reader.” -Kelly R.
“Great kids section! I love that
this library really seems to focus on the whole community and
makes everyone feel welcome.” -Alex G. “Thank you so much… Keep up
“Thank you for all you do for
-Helen D.
GVPL since it lived in the
the great work. It’s invaluable!”
“I’ve decided to cancel Netflix and all my other stuff and just use the library’s FREE sites
Hoopla and Kanopy. The people are so helpful here!” -Winnie C.
“We appreciate the work
the Library is doing in our
community, and particularly applaud the work you are doing with children and seniors in James Bay.”
-James Bay Community Market Society
our community. I’ve been loving Carnegie Building downtown,
and this week I especially love that you’re removing overdue
fines. I clearly see what a barrier they can be.”
books in various languages… Great play zones and toys for children to read and play in. Wonderful, helpful staff.” -Rianna M.
“Everyone here is really friendly.
-Rachel G.
Having fun isn’t hard when you
“This program (BC Summer Reading Club) is fabulous!” -Kalene L.
have a library card!” -Jenni P.
“We were excellently attended
“The best place in the city!” -Jose B.
to. We were very happy with the service provided by the staff,
and all the services we can access
“Nice library and super friendly staff!”
“Amazing selection of children’s
at the library!” -Ivan R.
-Kyle W.
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2024 ANNUAL REPORT