Vancouver and Montreal Named Best Libraries

Vancouver Public Library.

Where are the best libraries in the world? According to a new German study, the two top libraries in the world are in Canadian cities. The Vancouver Public Library says:

Scholars at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf have named the public libraries in Vancouver and Montreal as the No. 1 libraries in world cities -- topping a lengthy list that includes libraries in New York, Boston, London, Barcelona, Los Angeles and Toronto.

Researchers in the university’s department of information science analyzed the services and spaces -- digital and physical -- of public libraries in 31 major centres around the world, exploring how they support the digital, learning and creative fabric of their cities.
Vancouver and Montreal libraries were tied for the top spot. Libraries in Chicago, San Francisco, Shanghai and Toronto rounded out the top five in the research, which was published in this month’s edition of Libri: International Journal of Libraries and Information Services. 

“Vancouver is a world-class city and we’re extremely pleased and humbled to be recognized as a top world-class library,” says VPL chief librarian Sandra Singh.

Although the criterion were lengthy and varied, the best indication of why Vancouver tops the list is found later in the same release.

A new survey from Mustel Group conducted for VPL earlier this fall, for instance, illustrates that VPL is essential to learning and development in Vancouver.

That survey found that 78 per cent of Vancouverites have visited the library in the last year; that’s an increase from 74 per cent in 2010. 

Among other highlights: 62 per cent of residents say they would simply not read the books they do if they couldn’t borrow them from VPL; 49 per cent would not be able to enjoy the movies or music they do without VPL.

VPL has overwhelming support from residents, suggests the survey data: 94 per cent support spending tax dollars to continue library services even if they don’t use the library themselves. This is solely owing to the benefits the library provides to the community.