振興 | Revitalization

The Chinese Library has been a longstanding fixture of the Strathcona neighbourhood in Vancouver. Its initial purpose was to provide Chinese language materials for local Chinese residents. The Vancouver Public Library eventually began offering Chinese books in their selection, so Chinese language books became less of a critical need for the library. Today, the library serves as a gathering space for local Chinese elderly who have been longstanding members of the library, providing local Chinese cultural events for families to help pass down and preserve Chinese culture to their children, and documenting and archiving historical documents on Chinese people in Canada. The population of the Chinese Library is aging and in the spring of 2020 they've generously invited a group of young Chinese women to assist in the revitalization of the library. In this process, the hope is to:

• Revitalize the space so that it is accessible and functional

• Facilitate new intergenerational connections between Chinese Canadian elderly and youth

• Build new programs and offerings for community needs

• Do reconciliation work with local communities and other BIPOC groups

We're currently in the process of setting things up (including this website)! Check back for more details, and eventually a fully bilingual translation of the website.

眼光 | Vision

The Vancouver Chinese Library is a community space located in the Strathcona neighbourhood that aims to promote Chinese language and preservation of Chinese culture in Canada. We also collect and preserve historical records and data relating to Chinese in Canada. We are a multilingual organization that aims to build intergenerational relationships between the Chinese elderly, Chinese youth, and local non-Chinese communities.

歷史 | History

The Vancouver Chinese Library has been around for around 43 years as a community space for Chinese immigrants. Before the Vancouver Public Library began to provide Chinese books, we were the main source of Chinese language books for residents. Over time, this space has become a community space for Chinese immigrants.