Library Resources
Click on the thumbnails below to view examples of resources available through WELL.
Important Update: Library Membership Changes Effective April 1**
We appreciate your continued support and engagement with our Westcoast Early Learning Library (WELL). As we work to balance increasing demand with our available resources, we are implementing a necessary change to our membership policy.
Effective April 1, new library memberships will only be available to individuals who live or work in Vancouver.
For our existing members who reside outside of Vancouver, borrowing privileges will remain in place until your membership expires. However, renewals will not be available for those outside the city.
This decision is guided by our funding structure, which is designated specifically for Vancouver residents and early learning providers that go to school or work in Vancouver. Despite our efforts to expand capacity—including increasing staffing, hours, and space—ensuring long-term sustainability means prioritizing the community we are funded to serve.
We understand that this change may affect some of our valued patrons, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to maintain a high standard of service within our means.
Please see here for your local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre. Child Care Resource and Referral centres - Province of British Columbia If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Westcoast Early Learning Library (WELL)
Resource Library for Early Childhood Educators, ECE Students and Caregivers
The ECE curriculum library at Westcoast houses British Columbia’s most comprehensive, publicly accessible collection of materials related to early childhood education and care. Our collection has thousands of quality purposely curted resources for early learning and play and includes a broad range of materials which support anti-bias education and recognize the human and cultural diversity around us. It also features professional development and student resources on a variety of topics including ECE theory and practice, program planning, child care administration and more.
The WELL is open to Early Childhood Educators, ECE students, caregivers, families and all who are interested in quality early learning and care for all children.
Contact us by email at library@westcoastfamily.org or phone at 604-677-1100
Library Hours : Holiday Closures:
Mondays: Closed The Library will be closed on Saturdays prior
Tuesdays: 9:00 am-5:00 pm to statutory holidays which fall on a Monday.
Wednesdays: 9:00 am-8:00 pm - May 17th for Victoria Day
Thursdays: 9:00 am-5:00 pm - August 2nd for BC Day
Fridays: 9:00 am-5:00 pm - August 30th for Labour Day
Saturdays: 9:00 am-4:00 pm - October 11th for Thanksgiving
Sundays: Closed
Library card expired? No worries! Borrowing from our library is now FREE! Give us a call to update your membership at 604-677-1100
Other helpful libraries include: The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) Resource Collection and the Decoda Literacy Library.
Library Lending Policies
Find out more about our library lending policies including duration of loans, library card fees and more below:
- Effective April 1st. 2025, Westcoast Early Learning Library (WELL) is available for those who live, work or study in Vancouver.
- The Westcoast Early Learning Library card is free to all customers.
- Limit of 10 resource items at any one time plus 15 books.
- The loan period is 4 weeks.
- You may renew once for an additional 4 weeks if there are no holds on the item. Holds are limited to 10 at a time.
- All materials must be returned to the Westcoast Early Learning Library, located at 2772 East Broadway.
- Please return items in the same condition and packaging that they were in when you borrowed them.
- Personal items returned in library packages will be discarded or repurposed.
- We do not sanitize any materials. You may want to sanitize materials before use. All items should be returned clean and dry. Infant and toddler packages include cleaning instructions.
- Please check the contents of each package borrowed before you use it to ensure it is complete and in good condition. Report any missing or damaged items within 48 hours to avoid paying replacement fees.
- We reserve the right to use our discretion on borrowing limits in specific circumstances.
*A resource item is anything that is not a book.
- Fines are $.25 per item per day.
- Lost or damaged items must be replaced or paid for within 4 weeks. After this period, borrowing will be suspended until a resolution is reached.
- Replacement Costs:
- We accept good quality replacements, but please consult with library staff before purchasing items.
- A $10 admin fee will be charged on top of the value of lost or damaged items. Admin fees and fines will be waived for borrowers who replace missing items themselves rather than paying for them.
- Missing pieces and packaging: once returned, each package is counted and verified complete before it is re-shelved. Please count each item before returning. For all items except books, we charge $5 per missing piece or package (excluding materials with essential parts, which must be completely replaced).
Please help us maintain our library by:
- Keeping the floors and walkways clear
- Someone could trip and fall if resources are left on the floor
- Keeping the materials and toys in their packages until you get them home
- The best way to ensure you are taking a complete resource home with you is to keep all the pieces in the package while you are in the library
- Please take musical instruments home to play them
Borrowing Limits
- There is a total limit of 10 resource items plus 15 books.
- The loan period is 4 weeks and 1 renewal of 4 additional weeks.
- Go to your online library account or contact the library at 604-709-5661 ext. 236 to renew.
- Ask our library staff for more information about specific limitations by resource collections.
Group Tours & Orientations
The Westcoast Early Learning Library (WELL) offers tours and orientations to help your work group or class become more familiar with our services and resources.
WELL Tour
- Information about what the WELL has to offer
- Learn how to navigate the library catalogue
- Explore resources that can enrich your practice
- Enjoy free time to explore the library after the presentation
- Duration 20 to 30 minutes
WCCRC Orientation
- Learn about Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre's programs and services
- Customize the orientation for your specific group needs; e.g. students or community members
- Duration 20 to 30 minutes
- Maximum 20 people
- Contact library staff for more details
To book a tour and/or an orientation, contact the library staff by email at library@westcoastfamily.org