Richmond Public Library (Canada)

Richmond Public Library
Entrance to the Richmond Cultural Centre, which houses the Brighouse branch
Established	1975
Branches	5
Collection
Items collected	books, e-books, cds, periodicals, local history, movies, TV shows, video games, board games
Size	350,000 (2021) [1]
Access and use
Circulation	1.6 million (2023) [2]
Population served	230,584 (2016) [3]
Members	108,332 (2019) [4]
Other information
Budget	CA$12,196,250 (2023) [5]
Director	Susan Walters
Employees	138
Website	www.yourlibrary.ca

Richmond Public Library (RPL) is a public library that serves Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The library has four branches in the city: Brighouse (Main), Steveston, Ironwood, and Cambie. RPL also offers limited Saturday pop-up services to the Hamilton neighbourhood.

The library has won numerous awards, including the John Cotton Dana Public Relations Award ^[6] in 2008 for its "Ralphy" library card for kids.

In September 2018, Richmond Public Library launched a book dispensing machine in the Hamilton Community Centre, allowing nearby residents to access the library's collection. ^[7] A second machine was launched in the Minoru Centre for Active Living in February 2020. ^[8]

In February 2021, Richmond Public Library permanently eliminated late fines ^[9] to reduce barriers to accessing library services.

Services

The Richmond Public Library offers a variety of services, such as:

• Books, DVDs, magazines, video games in a variety of languages for children and adults
• E-books and audio books offered through Libby, a free app on iOS and Android by OverDrive, Inc.
• Birdwatching, Fishing, and Hiking ExplorePACKS
• Ukuleles, STEAM Kits, Podcasting kits, and Indigenous resource kits.
• Computer and Internet Workstations
• Silent study rooms
• Small bookable spaces for meetings
• Various programs for children and adults, including storytimes, ESL conversation circles, cultural festivals and presentations on a wide variety of topics.

The Launchpad

The Launchpad, which was established in 2014, is a makerspace in the Brighouse branch. 3D printers, Cricut machines, digitization stations, and scanners are provided. ^[10] Library users can submit files for 3D printing after completion of an online certification, with charges for material and printing time applied to their accounts. 3D printing is also available at the Ironwood Branch, and Cricut machines can also be found at the Ironwood and Steveston branches.

References

1. "RPLAR2021FP". online.flowpaper.com. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
2. "RPL Annual Report 2023". online.flowpaper.com. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
3. "City Profile - City of Richmond, BC". City of Richmond. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
4. "RPL2019Annual Report". online.flowpaper.com. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
5. "2018Ar_Rplcopy". online.flowpaper.com. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
6. hwwilson: Retrieved on 4 January 2009
7. Chan, Kenneth (10 September 2018). "Richmond Public Library launches book dispenser machine technology". Daily Hive Vancouver. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
8. Leung, Valerie (16 February 2020). "Richmond senior center welcomes new book dispenser". Richmond News. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
9. Clarke, Kirsten (12 February 2021). "Richmond Public Library eliminates late fees for good". Richmond News. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
10. "Launchpad". Richmond Public Library. Retrieved 8 February 2025.

49°09′50″N123°08′28″W / 49.1639°N 123.1412°W / 49.1639; -123.1412 (Richmond Public Library)