Web Links & Online Resources
Welcome to our collection of online resources! Find information on a variety of topics on websites selected by our librarians. Use the filters below to narrow down your search, or check out our Explore Your Topic pages.
Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC
Legal Aid BC helps Aboriginal peoples in BC understand their legal rights by providing legal information and connecting communities to legal support. They follow the lead of their Indigenous Services division, who work to meet the legal needs of Aboriginal peoples in BC through innovative and culturally informed legal aid services.
Artists for Kids
In partnership with more than 50 of Canada's most prominent artists, Artists for Kids brings together educators and the community to provide educational experiences and enrichment for thousands of young people while encouraging students to share their own artistic voice and narrative.
BC Cancer
BC Cancer provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of BC in partnership with regional health authorities, and its mandate covers the full spectrum of cancer care from prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, to research and education, to supportive and palliative care.
BC Council for Families
The BC Council for Families envisions a BC where all families are recognized, respected and empowered to thrive. The BCCF develops and delivers support resources and training programs to professionals across the province that focus on prevention, inclusiveness and building skills and confidence.
BC Housing: Information for Seniors
The Seniors’ Supportive Housing Program in BC provides housing and support services to older adults, seniors, and people with disabilities. The Program assists low-income British Columbians who are 55 years of age or older, and people of any age who have a disability or diminished ability.
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services
BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS), part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides specialized treatment to people with the most severe and complex mental health and substance use disorders in British Columbia, as well as health care services for people who are incarcerated in provincial correctional facilities.
Canada Gazette
The “official newspaper” for the Government of Canada. Publishes all formal public notices, official appointments, proposals, regulations, and public acts of Parliament from all government departments and agencies. Public notices from various private sector organizations may also be published.
Canadian Business Network
Provides access to resources for Canadian businesses to grow and prosper, including information on government services, programs and regulations. The Canada Business Network promotes entrepreneurship and innovation, and provides assistance through a network of service centres across Canada.
Canadian Career College and Trade School Directory
A directory of Canadian Career Colleges and Trade Schools provides information for over 650 schools covering 140 cities or towns in Canada, sorted by province and city. These types of career-based educational institutions provide students the opportunity for learning a new profession or trade.
Canadian Seniors Discount Guide
The Dealhack Canadian Senior Discounts List is the result of a quarterly survey of brands that offer seniors discounts. Every 3 months, Dealhack staff independently verify each and every discount on this list, as well as add more brands to the list regularly when they are found.
Canadian Toy Testing Council
The Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) is a non-profit, voluntary, registered charitable organization, working for parents since 1952. Their job is to test toys' safety and to assist consumers with purchasing decisions. The Council assesses for design, function, durability and play value.
Civil Resolution Tribunal
The CRT is part of the BC public justice system and offers affordable ways to resolve many types of civil law disputes without needing a lawyer or attending court. They can help with claims involving intimate images, motor vehicle accidents, smalls claims, strata property and societies and cooperatives.
Clicklaw
Clicklaw, maintained by Courthouse Libraries BC, gathers legal resources in one place to help British Columbians find accurate, understandable information and feel confident in their legal research. Includes resources translated into dozens of languages including Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, French and more.
Clicklaw Wikibooks
Clicklaw Wikibooks are collaboratively developed, plain language legal publications that are published and kept up-to-date on a wiki, where they can also be printed and downloaded. They are free to download and share with British Columbians who seek reliable, up-to-date information to address legal problems or learn about the law. Launched and maintained by Courthouse Libraries BC.
Crisis Response. Community Led (CRCL)
CRCL is a mobile, community-led crisis response team that supports people experiencing mental health crises. Its trained crisis workers respond to mental health crises, offering immediate assistance, de-escalation, and follow-up support to individuals 13+ on the North Shore.
Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak Lessons
Specializes in providing people with a positive paddling experience and emphasizes safety and skill development. They offer hourly, daily, or weekly rentals, pre-scheduled lesson programs and tours & more. Operates full time from April – October, with limited operations the rest of the year.
Exam Invigilation: Invigilation Network
The Office of the Registrar at Athabasca University annually updates a list of Invigilation centres across Canada. This website lists exam invigilation centres in the province of British Columbia. The list includes fees, which are subject to change for each centre without notice.
FamilySearch.org
From The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch provides free access to 4+ billion names from all over the world. You can create an account and build your family tree online free of charge. PLEASE NOTE: Some material is only available for viewing at a Family History Center. West Vancouver Memorial Library on the North Shore is a Family History Center and has access to that material.
Google Arts & Culture
Travel the world and visit historic sights and museums from home! Google Arts & Culture is a non-commercial initiative that works with cultural institutions and artists around the world. Their mission is to preserve and bring the world’s art and culture online so it’s accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Health Canada
Health Canada helps Canadians maintain and improve their health. It ensures that high-quality health services are accessible, and works to reduce health risks. Includes information and services on consumer product safety, healthy living, drug and health products, food and nutrition, and more.
Highlights Kids
Activities, podcasts, games and more! Wholesome fun that is built on the philosophy that children become their best selves when they use their creativity and imagination; develop their reading, thinking and reasoning skills; and learn to treat others with respect, kindness and sensitivity.
Impact North Shore
Focusing on settlement and integration for new immigrants, Impact North Shore offers events, workshops, volunteer opportunities, employment and youth services, translation services, an English-learning centre, and a useful list of outside resources (including multilingual legal publications).
Language Portal of Canada
Resources and tools for learning English and French. Includes TERMIUM Plus®, a terminology and linguistic data bank, as well as writing tools that deal with grammar, punctuation, typography, translation and vocabulary, quizzes, articles and headlines, and linkes to other language resources.
Learning Disabilities Association of Canada
A national, non-profit volunteer organization that seeks to promote public awareness about learning disabilities through advocacy and education. Find informational resources about various learning disabilities, employment and education options for those with learning disabilities, and more.
Legal Aid BC
Legal Aid BC provides legal information, advice and representation services. Their priority is to serve the interests of people experiencing barriers accessing the legal system. They can help with serious family problems, child protection matters, immigration issues and criminal law issues.
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre
This unique centre offers visitors an introduction to the temperate rainforest and provides environmental education for the local community. Informative and interactive displays present information on the plants and animals of the temperate rainforest and global environmental issues.
Medical Services Plan
Information and enrolment forms for Medical Services Plan of BC and PharmaCare. B.C's publicly-funded health care system ensures that all eligible residents have access to medically necessary health care services and to eligible prescription medications, medical supplies, and pharmacy services.
MedlinePlus
An online portal that brings together information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, and a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Extensive info about drugs and supplements, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, surgery videos & more.
My Voice: Advance Care Planning Guide
From the BC Ministry of Health, this guide and workbook help you complete an advance care plan that outlines your wishes about health care decisions in the event you are unable to do so. It will help you consider what is important to you, help you document your beliefs and wishes, and help you develop the advance care plan that best suits you.
North Shore Community Resources
Childcare information for parents and caregivers, information on volunteering on the north shore, including a listing of local volunteering job openings. Additionally, it contains a searchable version of the Green Book, the directory of north shore services produced by the NSCR.
North Shore Culture Compass
An ongoing project to compile a hub of cultural assets within the North Shore Region. This tool is intended for residents, tourists, planners, and the cultural sector, to help build audiences, drive tourism, fill gaps, and encourage partnerships to better highlight our rich cultural diversity.
North Shore Homelessness Task Force
The North Shore Homelessness Task Force is an open service network that focuses on areas related to support services, communications and information, and the continuum of housing. This site contains a resource map of the North Shore and the Keeping Safe resources card.
North Shore News
Connecting North and West Vancouver since 1969, the North Shore News has evolved to become a valued community information source both in print and online. This resource provides residents of all ages with information on local opportunities, entertainment and relevant community information.
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
A not for profit organization comprised of businesses, professionals, residents and other community groups working together to ensure a healthy economic and socio-economic base to benefit the entire community. Its mandate is to represent and promote the North Vancouver City and District's economy.
North Vancouver Recreation Commission
Contains complete information on programs, activities and online registration. The North Vancouver Recreation & Culture (NVRC) Commission is a partnership between the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver, offering a wide range of activities for residents.
Open Door Community Hub
The Open Door Community Hub is a welcoming, drop-in space for people to gather and connect with other members of the community. Join us for refreshments, games and an opportunity to socialize with others every week. Free hot drinks, snacks, and care packages with essentials will be available to program participants only.
Regenerate BC
Regenerate BC offers opportunities to learn about research-based solutions to the climate crisis and how to take action. Their goal is to educate, engage, and inspire citizens to put into action known and proven solutions to the climate crisis, and build a thriving, just, and sustainable BC and world for all.
Small Business Accelerator
Created by the experts at UBC Library, this resources offers vetted resources that enable BC entrepreneurs to answer challenging market research questions. Use the free tools on this website to structure market research, grow your business, guage market size or learn the latest industry trends.
Vancouver Indigenous Justice Centre
The Indigenous Justice Centre (IJC) in Vancouver offers supports to Indigenous people – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – dealing with criminal and child protection matters who otherwise cannot access help through legal aid. Run by the BC First Nations Justice Council.
Voter Information (Elections Canada)
Find your riding, learn about local candidates and learn how to register to vote if you are a first-time voter. On this portal, you will also find information about the accessibility of voting locations, frequently asked questions and backgrounders on the electoral process.
Westcoast Reader
A newspaper for people who are improving their English reading skills. The newspaper is published from September to June by CapU with assistance from the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education and Pacific Newspaper Group, publishers of The Province and The Vancouver Sun. Material is copyrighted.
WorkBC: Jobs & Careers
Virtual information centre that provides access to career, training, and employment information resources and services such as labour market information, job listings, and educational resources that British Columbians can use in order to prepare for, obtain and keep employment.
WorkBC: Labour Market Outlook 2023-2033
From 2023-2033 it is projected there will be almost a million job openings in BC. This edition uses data from the census and the TEER system to assess the age structure of the population and labour force, labour force participation and typical education requirements of occupations.
Youth in BC
YouthInBC.com is dedicated to providing help and hope to individuals, organizations, and communities. Their programs work to ensure timely access to support, destigmatize suicide and mental health concerns, and increase awareness and skills for mental health. We engage a community of passionate volunteers. We foster and create compassionate, connected, suicide-safer communities.