Who uses the library?

The Library's staff and volunteers provide information and support to the members, staff, and volunteers of AIDS Vancouver, the British Columbia Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA) as well as a variety of other groups and organizations across the province.

The Library is often the first place a person newly-diagnosed with HIV looks for information to help them understand the complexities of the HIV virus, and how to live a healthier life with it. Quite often this search for information will not only empower the individual, but will also open doors to the many other services available through AIDS Vancouver and other partners.

The Library also serves the information needs of non-members living with HIV/AIDS, friends, partners and family members of infected individuals. Our resources that focus on HIV care and management as well as community-based research and prevention are utilized by doctors, nurses, and a variety of professionals of all types, and are a tremendous resource for the professional community.

The Collection

The Library's collection consists of over 4,000 book titles, 800 video titles, and more than 40 active journal, magazine and newsletter subscriptions.

Most of the titles included in the collection are in English, but we have a special section in the library dedicated to resources in other languages such as French or Spanish. We can also help you find more resources in these languages.

Please contact the Library if you are looking for a particular item. We may be able to locate a copy for you or may consider adding it to the collection.

Books and Videos

The book and video collections are fully catalogued and searchable on our online catalogue. When a publication is available online, a simple click on a link will allow you to access it.

Journals

The library subscribes to 40 journal titles, and receives several newsletters from ASOs around the world.

30 of these titles are indexed in order to access information quickly and more precisely. These journals explore HIV/AIDS related issues, ranging from scholarly peer-reviewed research journals to journals and newsletters written from a consumer health perspective.

Subject Files

The Library also maintains subject files containing extensive information on a variety of topics. The subject files are most concerned with current issues in the media, and focus largely on education issues. They are compiled from newspaper clippings, journal articles, magazines, update notes from individual organizations (excluding newsletters which are listed separately above), government policy notes, and quick notes and reviews from medical journals. The files are arranged using the same subject headings that apply to the Library's books, videos, and journal citations. They undergo consistent weeding and updating.

Library services

Searching for information - Reference services

Using our online catalogue, you can do your own research and print lists of the items you want. If you need help, or if you don't have time to do it yourself, we can provide you with a bibliography. You can also visit our HIV In Depth section, which lists selected printed and electronic items.

Distribution of Pamphlets

We distribute a large number of pamphlets and information packages to individuals requiring brief and concise facts on a specific subject. Contact us to receive a list of materials available for distribution.

Library blog

For daily information on the library, its collection and services, new HIV/AIDS resources received, statistics, websites of interest, check out our blog: http://aidsvanlibrary.blogspot.com/

E-newsletter

Complementary to the library blog, the PARC E-newsletter presents a selection of the best resources newly acquired and available in the library or online.
For service providers who work directly with persons living with HIV and their families, a special section entitled "For your clients" presents useful resources on a specific topic relating to HIV/AIDS.
Contact us to subscribe to the newsletter.

HIV Statistics

We collect reports of HIV/AIDS statistics published by UNAIDS, WHO, and other organizations, and compile HIV/AIDS statistics at a provincial, national and international level. This compilation can be found here.

Photocopies

A photocopier is available in the library. Users will be charged 10 cents per page. This helps us to cover library costs and provide information packages to people living with HIV.

Computer Lab

Three public computers with Internet access can be used by library visitors for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C related research on the Internet. You can also search our catalogue using these computers.

Giving to the Library

Gifts to the library are appreciated and encouraged. We gratefully accept donations of materials and funds.

Click here for more information on how to make a donation.

Books and videos are selected for inclusion in the collection in accordance with the guidelines established in the Library's Collection Development Policy. Material which is not needed for the collection will be made available to clients.