Featured Resources
Our Libraries subscribe to these resources so you can access them for free with your library card!
BC Historical Newspapers – access 125+ years of digital news archives at no charge, remotely, anytime – no authentication required. This online access is made possible through a collaboration of academic, public, and school libraries across B.C. Log in straight from this page to search nearly 5 million digitized pages of news, ads, images and more that showcase B.C.’s heritage – a remarkable trove of content for research, teaching, and learning.
BC Laws – Free public access to the Statutes & Regulations of B.C.
British Columbia Codes – Includes the current BC Building Code (including Plumbing Services) and the BC Fire Code.
British Columbia Statistics – Statistics on population, business, the economy, labour and society. From BCStats, the central statistical agency of the Province of British Columbia.
LinkedIn – A online learning platform that has hundreds of courses, free with library card.
Vehicle Safety and Inspection Standards Online (In Library Use Only) Current vehicle safety and inspection standards and related BC legislation.
BC Websites
BC Centre for Disease Control – Investigates and evaluates the occurrence of communicable diseases in BC and is the provincial reporting centre.
BC Open Textbooks – Download free online textbooks from the BC Min. of Advanced Education. The Open Textbook Project provides full post-secondary textbooks on arts, business, health, recreation and tourism, science, social science, trades and upgrading programs.
Clicklaw – An Internet subject guide to authoritative legal resources in BC and Canada. Developed by the Legal Services Society of BC and now maintained by the BC Courthouse Library Society. No library card is required to access this resource on the Internet.
DataBC – Provided by B.C. government department, this site contains thousands of data sets on a wide range of topics. Includes a geographic service to help map data, and tools to help conduct research, analyze statistics, develop apps.
HealthLinkBC – Call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse, dietitian, or pharmacist.
NewToBC – Find out services, programs and resources available to newcomers, offered by BC Libraries to help you succeed in your new community.
The Small Business Accelerator – an initiative of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia, is curated by professional librarians to help you to research your business idea. Use this website to write a business plan, gage your growth potential, learn about market trends and to discover new opportunities. If you’re looking for secondary market research to inform your next step – you’ve come to the right place.
SeniorsBC – Provides BC seniors with resources for planning and living a healthy life as they age. Seniors’ families and caregivers will find great information here, too.
More Recommended Resources
ELSANet – English Language Services for Adults (ELSA) lists English language programs in BC and provides links of interest to ESL students and instructors.
EnerGuide – The Canadian guide to energy-efficient appliances, heating and cooling, and more.
Federal Science Library – Search multiple Government of Canada science library collections and repositories from a single place, view or request items from a vast collection of publications in science, technology, engineering and health.
GCF Learn Free – Learn and develop the skills needed to advance in work and life, through free online learning. Tutorials on math, reading, technology, finances, internet, photos, and more!
Health Canada – Federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health.
Healthy Living – A Government of Canada website that gives you access to reliable, easy-to-understand information about health and safety relating to many aspects of our lives.
Public Health Agency of Canada – The Public Health Agency of Canada aims to promote health, prevent and control chronic diseases and injuries & infectious diseases. They also prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.
Teen Health & Wellness – Support and self-help for teens on topics including diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, fitness, mental health, diversity, family life, and more.
Tenant Survival Guide – Gives tenants rental tips and a basic understanding of residential tenancy law in BC and what it means to them.
WebMD – Excellent information on any health topic in an easy to understand format.
The World Bank – The Data Catalogue provides download access to over 2,000 indicators from World Bank data sources.
World Health Organization (WHO) – WHO provides information, reports, and data pertaining to a variety of health topics.