Castlegar & District Public Library

What you can do at the Library

Most people picture a library as books on shelves. The Castlegar & District Public Library is that, plus a lot more.

• Borrow physical books, audiobooks, and magazines from the Castlegar collection or from any partner library through inter-library loan
• Read or listen on your phone through the BC libraries digital collection (Libby, OverDrive, Hoopla)
• Use the free public computers for up to 60 minutes per day, first-come, first-served
• Print, scan, and copy at the public-access stations
• Get free WiFi throughout the building, even when the library is closed (the signal reaches outside)
• Book a study or meeting room for quiet work, tutoring, or small group meetings
• Join a program, story time for kids, summer reading clubs, tech help drop-ins, book clubs, and special events for all ages
• Use the community noticeboard to find out what's happening in town

Getting a library card

Library cards are free for residents of Castlegar and the surrounding service area. Sign up in person at the front desk. Five minutes if you bring the right two things:

• Photo ID (driver’s licence, BC Services Card, passport, etc.)
• Proof of address (a recent piece of mail, a utility bill, a lease, anything that ties your name to a Castlegar-area address)
• For kids: a parent or guardian signs up with them, same two pieces apply

You’ll leave with a card the same day. The card works at any partner library in the BC Libraries Cooperative network, so you can borrow on trips through the Kootenays and beyond.

For kids and teens

The library is one of the best free things to do with kids in Castlegar. Story time is a regular weekly fixture, and the summer reading club gives kids something to look forward to all summer. The teen section has YA fiction, graphic novels, and a quieter spot to study.

Bring a baby. Bring a toddler. Bring a noisy four-year old. Library staff genuinely welcome it.

For adults and seniors

Tech help drop-ins are gold for anyone who wants to learn how to use a smartphone, set up an email, or navigate online services. The collection includes fiction, non-fiction, biography, business, gardening, cooking, and a strong local Kootenay history section.

Community organizations and small groups can book meeting space at no cost.

Digital library access

Your library card unlocks BC's shared digital collection: thousands of e-books, audiobooks, magazines, and movies you can stream or download to your phone or tablet. Apps the library supports include:

• Libby (e-books and audiobooks from public libraries)
• Hoopla (movies, music, comics, e-books)
• OverDrive (the original library e-book platform, still works for many titles)

Library staff can help you set up the apps and get started.