Library Services

The Prince George Public Library is fundamental to the quality of life of our unique and diverse community. We enrich the life of every person in our area by providing equal access to the world's ideas and information through books, programs, and other resources.

Choose an option for more information:

Ask a Question	Materials	Book Express
Interlibrary Loans	Home Service	Large Print
Audio Books	Telecommunications Device	Book Club Sets
Local History Collection	Literacy Collection	Other Language Materials
Internet Access	Word Processing	Wireless Internet
Room Rentals	Microfilm	Indexes
Tours	Programs and Courses	Online Databases
Donating to the Library

Ask a question

Ask us! Our expert information and reference staff is available to track down the information you need. Talk to us when you need homework help or pointers for your research project, small business venture or hobby. Our Readers’ Advisors are in the business of helping readers find the books they love – and they have ideas for you!.

Click here to ask a librarian!

Materials

PGPL has over 208,000 items in its collection, including:

Books
Graphic Novels & Comics
Magazines
Newspapers (online and in print)
Videos
Compact Discs (Music)
Books on CD
DVDs
Cassette tapes
Telephone Books
Maps
Other Language Materials
Learn a Language – language tapes and CDs
Government Publications
Local History
Online Databases

For information on loan periods and renewals click here.

Collection Development:

The Library collection will be selected and maintained so that it enables each person to find the Library materials and information that he or she wants according to his or her free choice. The Library's collection provides quality, accurate information that is easily accessible. The Library exists not to protect people from diversity but to empower them to deal with it in a positive and meaningful way.

The Prince George Public Library Board endorses the Statement on Intellectual Freedom adopted by the Canadian Library Association.

Special Collections and Services

Book Express: This service offers “hot off the press” reading by some of today’s most popular authors. These are extra copies of bestselling books and the selection changes constantly. To ensure Book Express is as up-to-date as possible, the loan period is for 7 days and the items are not renewable, so if you need more time, there is a $1.00 per day fee. To keep Book Express items moving, there are no reserves permitted.
Inter-Library Loan Service
: What is it?; Libraries throughout British Columbia belong to a system that allows patrons with a valid library card to request items from other libraries throughout the province. Generally, there is no charge for this service and the average wait time is approximately 2 - 4 weeks depending on demand within the province. If a library does intend to charge a fee, you would be contacted to see if you still want the book.; How do I request?; You may request a book through ILL in one of two ways: you may fill in a request slip at your local library branch OR from our Library Catalogue. Use the I need Materials box and select Inter-Library Loan. Enter your Library Card Number and PIN. Fill out the form including at least author, title and your preferred pickup branch.; What can I request?

What can I not request?

Books published within the last calendar year
DVDs, CDs, Videos
Archival material that is not in microfilm format
Magazines

How long can I keep the borrowed item?

Most loans are for a two week period. Some libraries allow for one renewal option (phone us first). Academic institutions do not allow for renewals. You will be given a date due slip when you pick the item up.

What is the cost?

The service is free to our patrons with active library cards. Some academic institutions charge for lending their materials. You will be contacted to see if you will accept their charge before your request is processed. There is a $2.00 fee for each item that is not picked up once it arrives at our library.

*NOTE* Replacement costs for damaged/lost ILL books is the invoiced cost from the lending library plus a $25.00 handling fee for each item damaged or lost.

Who can I contact?

Patricia Gibson: 250-563-9251 ext. 124


Home Service: Delivery of library books, magazines, videos, DVDs, Books on CD to the homes of people who cannot visit the library on a regular, continuing basis. Volunteers visit every second Thursday morning, from mid-September to mid-June. Some limitations apply to this service. For more information, please call 250-563-9251 ext 123.

Large Print Books: A regular stock of books in large print, fiction and non-fiction, for those who have difficulty reading regular print. Anyone may borrow these with a valid library card.

Audio Books: A special collection of spoken word books on audio tape cassettes for those who cannot use printed material for reasons of blindness, visual disability, physical disability or a reading disability. A User Eligibility form will be completed. For assistance with this, please contact the representative on the Adult Information Desk or call 250-563-9251.

Telecommunications device: A telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) is at the Adult Information Desk, enabling the hearing impaired with a similar device at home or office to call in with reference questions and library queries. 250-563-2491.

Book Club Sets: Book Club Sets are offered as a service to local book clubs and schools. There are popular titles in sets of 8-15 copies for an extended loan period of six weeks. The books are packaged in a canvas carrying bag and can be signed out to one library card holder who will assume responsibility for returning the books to the library. For more information, or to reserve your book set, please contact the Children’s Information Desk.
Local History Collection: The Local History Collection is housed at the Bob Harkins Branch of the public library and contains historical material specific to Prince George and the surrounding area. The collection includes books, periodicals, meeting minutes, newspapers, indexes, microfilm, photographs, taped interviews, and vertical file materials. Please contact us for more information.

Literacy Collection: The Prince George Public Library has a Literacy Collection containing books, audiocassettes, and videos. Materials in the collection cover grammar, reading, writing, phonics, vocabulary, and math. The Literacy Collection also contains easy to read novels as well as easy reading material in the areas of life skills, job skills, religion, sciences, and social studies. Tutorial resources are also available. These materials can be used to improve literacy skills for people whose first language is not English.

Other Language Materials for Children and Adults: The library has materials in nine different languages, including French, Spanish, German and Italian. Books are available for both adults and children.

Internet Access: Public internet stations are available to Prince George and area residents with a valid library card for a one hour period each day. Visitors and tourists will be issued a guest pass upon showing proof of address. These internet stations are available on a first come, first served basis. Printing is available from internet stations for $.20 per page with a copy card.; The Library is a Commmunity Access Centre [CAP].

Internet Policy [Section 5.13 of Library Policy Manual]
5.13 The Library considers Internet information resources an extension of our material collections.

5.13.1 Free Internet access will be made available at the Library.

5.13.2 Library staff will feature links from the website that offer useful and reliable information to Library users.

5.13.3 Websites reached by means of links posted on the Library’s website may lead to other links not reviewed by staff. The Library takes no responsibility for the results of browsing the Internet.

5.13.4 The Library is not responsible for the content or quality of information retrieved over the Internet.

5.13.5 The same confidentiality standards and procedures that apply to other Library transactions will apply to the use of Internet resources.

5.13.6 Patrons are prohibited from using Library Internet stations for illegal, actionable or criminal purposes or to seek access into unauthorized places. Infringement of copyright is prohibited. The Library assumes no responsibility for any direct or indirect damage arising from the use or its connection to Internet services.

5.13.7 The Library reserves the right to limit Internet usage.

5.13.7.1 This limit is based on bandwidth capacity, budget, and other operational requirements.

5.13.7.2 Individual patrons may be restricted from Internet usage based on behaviour as defined in Section 2.2.1.4 and 2.5.2.

Word Processing

There are two stand alone word processing stations for public use. The Prince George Public Library provides free access to OpenOffice software and printing is available for $.20 per page with a copy card.

Wireless Service!

With the booming trend in laptop ownership and a growing demand for access to electronic resources in public locations, the public library has increased their role in providing access to the internet. Your library card now gets you two free hours a day of continuous wireless internet service at the Bob Harkins Branch.

Room Rentals

The library has two multi-purpose rooms available for local organizations to rent. The Keith Gordon Room at the Bob Harkins Branch (capacity 80 people) and the Multi-purpose room at the Nechako Branch (capacity 40 people). Reservations will be booked for up to two months in advance. Reservations are confirmed upon receipt of room rental fee. Room rental fees will be refunded where the reservation has been cancelled at least seven days prior to the confirmed date.

Library sponsored programs have priority over other programs and the library reserves the right to refuse or cancel reservations.
The Keith Gordon Room is available 10:00 am – 9:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 10:00 am – 5:30 Friday and Saturday.
The Multi-purpose room at Nechako is available 10:00 am – 9:00 pm Monday & Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The fees include all equipment the library provides, as well as set-up and take down of equipment, tables and chairs.
Non-profit organizations: $45.00 for up to three hours and an additional $15.00 for each subsequent hour or part thereof.
Commercial groups or organizations: $35.00 for each hour or portion thereof.
In compliance with the City of Prince George Bylaw No. 4708, smoking is not permitted in library facilities.
Preparation and/or serving of alcoholic beverages by outside groups is not allowed. Light refreshments may be brought in.

For more information on booking the Keith Gordon Room, please contact Lisa at 250-563-9251 ext 126.

For information on the Multi-purpose room at Nechako, please call 250-962-9710.

Microfilm

Microfilm of the local newspapers is available and copies of pertinent articles can be made. The library holds:

Fort George Herald: August 20, 1910 - January 29, 1916
Fort George Tribune: November 1909 - May 1915
Prince George Post: November 21, 1914 - October 9, 1915
Prince George Star: October 6, 1916 - May 22, 1917
Prince George Citizen: May 17, 1916 to present day
Prince George Leader: March 18, 1921 - March 15, 1923
Prince George This Week: September 13, 1989 to present day
Prince George Free Press: November 3, 1994 to present day

Indexes

The Prince George Public Library provides an online index for the Prince George Citizen Newspaper for the years 1916 to 1947. This index is available on the computer terminals located at the library. Any member of the public can access the library homepage and use this index from home.

The Prince George Citizen Newspaper Index will soon be accessible from home.

A paper index to Prince George Newspapers 1909-1923 contains the early Prince George papers including: Fort George Tribune, Fort George Herald, Prince George Post, Prince George Herald, Prince George Star, and Prince George Leader.

There is also a City of Prince George Collection Project Finding Aid. It acts as a catalogue for the materials available in local archives.

Tours

Class tours: Bring your class to the library for a 20/20/20 tour. 20 minutes of stories/booktalks, 20 minutes for a tour of the library, 20 minutes to get library cards and choose books.

Tours for adults: Do you work with a group of adults who would like to get library cards and tour the library? We have library staff who will make this happen.

To book tours or visitis call: 250-563-9251 local 107.

Programs and Courses

The library offers a wide variety of programs for children and adults. Check out the Programs and Events section of the webstie for upcoming events and programs.

Programs include: storytimes, babytimes, Reading Buddies, author visits, and Internet/Email classes.

Online Databases

From finding your next great read, to finding help to fix your vehicle; from looking up medical information, to finding full text articles for your next project, we have many online databases to help you find what you are looking for. Sometimes you simply cannot find what you're looking for by searching the Internet with a search engine - discover the vast information in our database subscriptions that are free for you to use. Most of our databases can be accessed from home with your valid library card!

Click here to access a list of our online databases.