Historical Resources
New Westminster Public Library (est. 1865) is British Columbia’s oldest library. As such, we can provide access to an impressive collection of genealogical and local history resources.
Many of these resources do not circulate, however, and are thus for in-library research use only. Check out our library branch hours and locations to plan your visit. You may be required to provide a library card, driver’s license, or other ID to work with certain items.
Further, we’ve partnered with New Westminster Museum and Archives (NWMA) to administer some resources. For example, access to our collection of historical photographs is provided via NWMA’s online archives. And, you can use our handy research guide to help navigate the online archives, whether you are new to it or simply need a refresher.
If you would like to learn about the history of New Westminster Public Library itself, check out this timeline.