Public Libraries
The Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries (NLPL) system operates 96 public libraries across the province, providing residents with access to a wide range of resources, including books, digital media, and community programs. Their digital library allows patrons to borrow eBooks and audiobooks online.
Public libraries in Newfoundland and Labrador are more than just places to borrow books—they’re community hubs offering free internet, printing, language learning resources, cultural events. and programs for all ages. With a free library card, newcomers can access workshops, job search tools, and settlement information in a welcoming environment.
Community Centers
Community centres provide a friendly space for newcomers to connect, learn, and participate in local life. From recreation programs and cultural events to newcomer-specific services, these centres are great places to meet people, stay active, and feel at home in your new community. Most of them open from Monday to Saturday, 9:30 am to 5: 00 pm, and some open late to 8:00 pm.
Find public libraries and community centres near you in the map.
Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries (NLPL)
The Newfoundland & Labrador Public Libraries system operates 96 public libraries across the province, providing residents with access to a wide range of resources, including books, digital media, and community programs. The NLPL offers services such as book lending, internet access, educational programs, and cultural events. Their digital library allows patrons to borrow eBooks and audiobooks online.
Gander Public Library
Established in 1937, the Gander Public Library serves the community with a collection of approximately 30,000 books, DVDs, and CDs. The library offers free Wi-Fi, public access computers, and various programs for all age groups. During the September 11 attacks, the library played a pivotal role by serving as a communications center for stranded passengers.
Virginia Park Community Centre
Located in St. John’s, the Virginia Park Community Centre provides social, educational, recreational, and career development programs for residents of the Virginia Park area. Established in 1987, the centre offers services ranging from prenatal programs to senior activities, aiming to meet the diverse needs of the community.
Rabbittown Community Centre
Situated in the Rabbittown neighborhood of St. John’s, the Rabbittown Community Centre offers a variety of services, including teen programs, after-school activities, employment counseling, and health services. The centre serves as a hub for community engagement and support.
MacMorran Community Centre
The MacMorran Community Centre in St. John’s aims to provide access and equal opportunity for community members to participate in social, health, recreational, educational, and employment programs. The centre focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents through various initiatives and services.
YMCA Newfoundland & Labrador
The YMCA has been part of life in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1854, dedicated to strengthening communities through programs that nurture the potential of children, teens, and young adults, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. With multiple locations across the province, the YMCA offers health, fitness, aquatics, child care, and employment services.
Kenmount Terrace Community Centre
The Kenmount Terrace Community Centre in St. John’s offers a variety of programs and services designed to meet the needs of the local community. The facility includes spaces for recreational activities, meetings, and events, contributing to the social and cultural development of the area.
Memorial University Community Hubs
“Memorial’s Community Hubs Initiative helps create shared, community-run spaces in towns across Newfoundland and Labrador that foster opportunities for community learning, collaboration and capacity building. The Hubs are located in primarily rural areas across the island and in Labrador. These hubs are community spaces where people can access the Internet, technology, and a place to work, study, or collaborate. By working with partners (community groups, provincial organizations, governments, educational institutions, etc.) that already operate buildings in communities, the Community Hubs program is able to provide financial support for technology, Internet access, other equipment, and/or programming support to increase access and opportunity within existing spaces. Each Community Hub looks a little different, because each community has its own culture and personality, as well as its own needs and challenges. We collaborate with communities in existing structures to increase access and capacity, working with each successful applicant to co-design the space and determine what the support will entail. There are currently 15 Community Hubs across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Amal Youth and Family Centre
“Established in 2021, the mission of Amal Youth and Family Centre is to provide a range of innovative services responsive to the needs of individuals, families and communities, including educational, social, cultural, outreach, clinical, family-based, alternate care and networking activities. Amal aims to provide trauma-informed, neuro-diverse, and culturally, racially, linguistically, and developmentally sensitive services for youth and families, and to promote diversity in all forms with respect to citizenship status, culture, religion, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, age, and ability. From its Arabic roots, Amal means “hope.” Our vision is to become a centre of hope, and a warm, welcoming, respectful and diverse organization in which children, youth and families from myriad backgrounds thrive and succeed together.”