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Inuvik Centennial Library

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Library

Inuvik Centennial Library is OPEN by appointment. (see 'Hours of Operation' below)

Please call 777-8620, email lfrontdesk@inuvik.ca, or fill our web form to book your appointment.

  • Maximum occupancy 29 persons including staff. One visit per day, one hour maximum stay. (Exceptions for registered children attending after school programs 3:30 - 5:00 PM)
  • Minimum 6 foot / 2 metre physical distancing from other users must be maintained.
  • Users are required to provide their own non-medical mask or face covering if physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • No children under 7 without a parent or guardian. Children 7 and over are welcome, provided their parent or guardian make the appointment and the children maintain physical distancing.
  • Programming limited to after school activities for registered children 7-12 years of age. No food, only personal water bottles.
  • A waiting list will be maintained in the event of a cancellation.
  • No public phone or public restroom access.

Search for materials online: NWT Library Services Catalog

Mission
To provide programs, services, and facilities for the informational, recreational, and cultural needs of the community.
Hours of Operation

Open by appointment:

Monday 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (closed 12 – 1)

Tuesday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12 – 1)

Wednesday 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (closed 12 – 1)

Thursday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12 – 1)

Friday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (closed 12 – 1)

Saturday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
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. (8 person capacity under current health regulations)
  • Free Interlibrary Loan services from other libraries within the Northwest Territories and across Canada.
  • Print, fax, photocopy, scan to email, and lamination services available in both black & white and colour.
Self-Service

Search for and renew library 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.

Contact us if you:

  • do not know your library card number + 4-digit PIN
  • are having trouble accessing services using your card
  • are an Inuvik resident and wish to obtain a library card

Email: lfrontdesk@inuvik.ca for help.
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.

  • eBooks (Freading)
  • Art and Craft Classes (Creativebug)
  • Free Music Downloads (Freegal Music)
  • Learn New Languages (Rocket Languages)
  • Online Magazines (Flipster)
  • Canadian Research/Reference Centre
  • TumbleBooks: eBooks for all ages
    • TumbeBookLibrary helps to teach kids in grades K-6 the joy of reading by using animation, music, and narration to bring picture books to life. Read along online, or have TumbleBooks read to you.
    • BiblioEnfants is the same as TumbleBookLibrary but in French
    • TumbleMath is a collection of math picture books for grades K-6. These books also include supplementary material like lesson plans and quizzes.
    • TeenBookCloud includes ebooks, graphic novels, videos and audiobooks aimed at grades 7-12. This collection includes fiction and nonfiction titles.
  • World Book Encyclopedia Online
  • Dictionary of Canadian Biography
  • Oxford English Dictionary
  • Larousse French Dictionary includes an encyclopedia, conjugation tables, multiple bilingual dictionaries, games, recipes, and more.

  • NNELS – National Network for Equitable Library Service

    • NNELS provides access to a growing collection of downloadable audio books and other accessible formats for public library patrons who cannot read traditional print because of a visual, physical or cognitive disability.
  • CELA – Centre for Equitable Library Access
    • CELA has books, magazines and newspapers in accessible formats, including DAISY audiobooks (CD and downloadable), e-text and braille (print and downloadable). 
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: lfrontdesk@inuvik.ca
Programs

Inuvik Centennial Library and the Town of Inuvik are pleased to announce the resumption of free after school programming at the library.

We have limited spots available for children aged 7-12 to take part in free programming activities at the library from 3:30 to 5:00 PM on school days. Send your kids for homework help, crafts, meditation, games, colouring, and more.

Registration required, call 777-8620 to book.

Masks required, no access to public washroom (exceptions for emergencies).
Collection/Dick Hill Northern Collection

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

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.