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Inuvik Centennial Library

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Library

The Inuvik Centennial Library, located at 100 Mackenzie Road, is a prime source of northern information and a hub of community activity.

You can search for materials using our online catalog.

Have an idea for an item the library should own? Please fill our form: Recommend to Order.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm

Friday: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Saturday and Sunday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Closed on statutory holidays.
Membership
Membership is free for permanent residents. Temporary memberships ($15.00, non-refundable) are available for those staying in Inuvik for fewer than 6 months.
Services

The library offers a variety of services:

  • Free computer and WiFi access.
  • Vicki Billingsley Community Room - available for free to non-profit groups to use for meetings or for rent for a nominal fee to other organizations.
  • Free Interlibrary Loan services for items from other libraries both within the Northwest Territories and all over Canada.
  • Print, fax, photocopy, scan to email, and lamination services available in both black & white and colour.
Self-Service

Search for and renew your materials online: NWT Library Services Catalog

In order to renew materials and view your account details online, you will need your 14-digit User ID# and PIN. Your User ID# can be found on your library card. Library staff will provide your PIN upon request.
eResources

As part of NWT Library Services, your library membership enables access to a number of free eResources. To access the resources below, you will need your 14-digit User ID# number. Please ask a staff member if you need help connecting to these services.
Contact and Booking Information

For more information or to book the Vicki Billingsley Community Room, please contact the Library at:

Phone: 867-777-8620 

Email: kmurray@inuvik.ca
Programs

Programs are available for children of all ages:

  • After School Programs 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on school days.
  • Reading Rascals (for children aged 0-6 and their parents): Mondays at 10:30 a.m. except Statutory Holidays.
  • Books-in-the-Home (a program for children aged 4-12 and their parents): Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Collection/Dick Hill Northern Collection

The Library holds:

  • A collection of over 35,000 items including a 10,000 item collection officially designated the "Dick Hill Northern Collection," donated by Dick Hill, the first Mayor of Inuvik and an avid collector of anything Northern: books, articles, reports, maps, site plans, oil and gas hearings, artifacts, and more.
  • A collection of art work and photographs related to Inuvik and its people, including the construction of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church (the "Igloo" Church).
  • A large collection of DVDs including a collection of DVDs related to the North.
  • A large selection of magazines and northern newspapers.
  • Slide and photograph collections of historical interest.
  • A collection of the Funeral/Memorial programs of people who have passed away from the Town of Inuvik and the Beaufort-Delta region.
History

Inuvik has a long history of library service: 

  • The first library was established in the late 1950s in a small room beside the stage in Sir Alexander Mackenzie School with books donated by the Aklavik East Home and School Association. Many of these books are still on display at the library.
  • With Canada's Centennial celebrations coming in 1967, funding was announced for community projects to celebrate this important Canadian milestone. A plebiscite was held in 1966 and the library project was the winner.
  • The centrally located library building (now the site of the Inuvik Community Corporation building) was completed and officially opened on January 15, 1967.
  • Library services continued to grow and a target collection of 10,000 items was soon met and surpassed. Space in the building was extremely tight and the search for a new location began.
  • In 1994 the Town of Inuvik acquired the old Liquor Warehouse (right next door to the existing Library) and in 1995 renovations began.
  • The library moved into its current space with the official opening of the current building on June 20, 1996.