About the Digital Collections

Welcome to the West Vancouver Memorial Library’s (WVML) Digital Collections database. The digital.westvanlibrary.ca site contains photographs, documents and audio-visual material that shows West Vancouver's growth and development from its beginnings to the bustling and prosperous community it is today.

Search and discover images with us through digital.westvanlibrary.ca. There is also helpful video on how to use the site.

Landscapes & Landmarks: West Vancouver sights, Point Atkinson lighthouse, Howe Sound, Bowen Island, Ambleside, Hollyburn, Horseshoe Bay, Marine Drive, Whytecliffe Park, Capilano River and various piers and waterfronts.

Pioneer Families: Portraits, homes and businesses of the Lawsons, Reids, Caulfeilds, Sewells, and others.

Community Events & Daily Life: May Day and Community Day parades, golf, swimming, rugby, tennis, lawn bowling, badminton, archery, sailing, hiking and skiing.

Transportation: Boats, ferries, rail, West Vancouver Blue Bus, and the North Shore's iconic bridges.

Churches, Schools & Public Spaces: Memorial Park, Municipal Hall, post offices, Klee Wyck Art Centre, churches and schools (including class photos).

In addition the library has unique content through the following special collections.

Audio-Visual Items: A new part of the collection that contains a variety of community events, history of the library, sporting events, community television spots, and the Library’s Bookmobile.

McPhee Collection: Landmarks, homes and businesses in the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s taken by local photographer William (Bill) McPhee.

British Properties & Park Royal Collection: Plans, land clearing, views, Taylor Way construction and development associated with this major mid-century development project. Many of these photographs were taken by leading commerical/industrial photographers of the time from Leonard Frank Studios.

West Vancouver Memorial Library History Collection: Library building, expansion, and events at the library since its construction in 1950.

The Library is grateful for the support of the Friends of the Library, the British Columbia History Digitization Program (University of British Columbia, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre), West Vancouver Historical Society and Young Canada Works to deliver this content to the public.