These "E-Resources" include the full text of Canadian newspapers, international magazines (currently licensed through EBSCO Industries), and standard reference works such as the World Book encyclopedia.

[4] Another early library—that of the British Columbia division of the T. Eaton Company—was started in 1862 by department store manager David Spencer.. On December 16, 1864, the local Mechanics' Institute created Victoria's first community-oriented lending library.

Located on Bastion Street, the library's collection included books donated by James Douglas (Governor).

The Institute's rooms were "well lighted and warmed, and with their copious supply of reading matter, [formed] one of the pleasantest [sic] places in the city in which to pass a quiet hour."

A subsequent vote, held little more than a year later, resulted in the City's acceptance of the books and the beginning of Greater Victoria's first truly public library.

The City, however, could not afford a purpose-built library; therefore, the collection was housed in rooms located in "Spencer's Arcade" (possibly provided by the YMCA) on Broad Street.

Despite its difficult political and financial beginnings, the new Victoria Public Library that opened on May 10, 1889, fulfilled a clear and present need.

According to a Colonist newspaper article, "Since the closing of the Mechanics' Institute, Victorians in the commoner walks of life have sorely missed the opportunities afforded of obtaining good and instructive reading [material]."

It was completed in 1905, but the library's collection remained in its makeshift quarters at City Hall until January 2, 1906, when it moved to the new building.

The Library's books and other materials provoked controversy, and candidates for public office made "political capital" of the fact that works such as The Decameron were available to borrow.

But this English system, which involved red and blue signals (see Pagett, 1934), required a staff of several librarians to keep it up-to-date.

Other graduates who went on to prominent positions included Margaret Crompton (later Mrs Thurston Taylor), who became reference librarian at the Enoch Pratt Free Library; Phyllis Knowles (later Mrs Byron Blood), who was cataloguing librarian at the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture; and Elsie Taylor, who became assistant cataloguer at the American Library in Paris.

But the Library's commissioners explained the benefits of a "children's room" to City Council, hopeful the next year would bring the necessary funds: In the first place the room is designed that the child may be introduced, under careful supervision, to that wonderful fairyland which is the bookworld, so that the little seeker after pleasure or knowledge may be started on the right path.

It is nevertheless a symbol of the age and one which must be faced if the library is to extend its usefulness beyond the ranks of those who make use of the centrally located downtown building.The bookmobile route included Mount Newton Crossroad, Saanichton Agricultural grounds, Elk Lake and the eastern part of Central Saanich, Brentwood, and Wilkinson Road.

On January 25, 1954, John M. Marshall, the recently hired director of bookmobile services, received notice of his termination, effective the following week.

Outgoing Library Board Chairman J. F. K. English said no reason was required because Marshall's probationary period had not yet expired.

Newspaper reports cited unnamed sources who alleged various reasons for Marshall's termination—all involving either membership in or association with "Red-tinged organizations".

According to one article, "A source in a position to have full details of the case informed the Times ... Mr. Marshall's dismissal resulted because his record showed at one time he was associated with the Westerner, a leftist newspaper published in Winnipeg, and that he attended Canadian Peace Congress meetings in Toronto in 1949, 1950 and 1951" (Book-Burning).

At the same time as the Marshall case was unfolding, allegations surfaced of book censorship at the Victoria Public Library.

As she reportedly explained, "a certain circumstance"—unconnected with either the Marshall case or the book censorship issue—"confirmed my recent suspicion that it would be utterly impossible for me to continue to carry on my work as chief librarian of the Victoria Public Library should certain members of the 1954 Library Board continue to hold office on the board."

Brent Murdoch, Prof. Robert Wallace, and Lieut.-Col. Walter Mosedale (later disqualified because he did not live within Victoria's city limits).

These included Nora Dryburgh (appointed bookmobile director in a temporary capacity after Marshall's dismissal) and Mrs. Ross Napier (head of the cataloguing department for 19 years).

While the controversy simmered, the Library Board appointed John C. Lort acting chief librarian, effective May 1, 1954.

Between July and October, 1962 a survey of the services offered by Victoria Public Library carried out by Rose Vainstein, assistant professor of the School of Librarianship at UBC.

This survey was in response to complaints from PTAs and citizen groups and a desire for improved library service on the part of Saanich, Oak Bay, and Esquimalt.

At this time, control of the library passed from the City of Victoria to a board made up of representatives from these four "core" cities/municipalities.

A temporary library opened a block away on Garnet Road with a smaller collection of books that were checked out at the time of the fire.

On 29 February 1996, Canada Post issued 'Public Library, Victoria' designed by Raymond Bellemare and Robert G. Hill.

The stamp features an image of the Carnegie Building at the corner of Yates and Blanshard Streets in Victoria, British Columbia.