Libraries & Museums

The CRD collects tax money from the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area for two library networks. You can use any library, but you can only borrow books from the libraries your area funds. If you want to borrow from other libraries, there might be an extra fee.

Communities on the western side of the Electoral Area, including East Sooke, Otter Point, Shirley, Jordan River and Port Renfrew, pay for the Vancouver Island Regional Library.. Branches are available in:

Communities on the eastern side of the Electoral Area, including Willis Point and Malahat, pay for the Greater Victoria Public Library..

The Sooke Region Museum is run by the Sooke Region Historical Society, a non-profit society started in 1975. The Museum is a registered charity in Canada.

The CRD gives money to the Museum through a tax funded grant and appoints one person to the Society’s board.

The Salt Spring Island Public Library is owned by the CRD and operated by the Salt Spring Island Public Library Association.

The Association receives operating funding from a CRD tax levy on Salt Spring Island. It also receives a per capita provincial grant. Other sources of funds include targeted grants, donations of books and cash, an annual giving campaign, investment revenue, book sales and fines from overdue materials.

The Association is incorporated under the BC Library Act and is independent of the CRD with its own constitution and board. The Electoral Area Director for Salt Spring Island sits on the Association's board.

Small public libraries operate on Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Piers and Saturna islands. Their collections vary from island to island, but inter-library loan service and internet access in most SGI libraries and reading rooms provide patrons access to virtually unlimited material. 

The CRD provides funding and advisory support to the Southern Gulf Islands Public Libraries and reading centres. This service is administered by the Southern Gulf Islands Library Committee, which is composed of five library organizations.