You can 'borrow' a dog from Vancouver Public Library next week
Vancouver may be in the middle of the dog days of summer, but next week you can get up close and personal with a puppy thanks to the Vancouver Public Library.
Canine Library is woofing it up at John Hendry Park on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is also presented by Vancouver Park Board, Paws 4 Stories, St. John Ambulance BC/Yukon, and Trout Lake Community Centre.
All ages are invited to sign up at the park for a puppy and poetry session, though children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Vancouver Public Library
Candie Tanaka, programming and event coordinator for the VPL, told Daily Hive that the Canine Library is built on their popular “Paws 4 Stories” program, which allows children to practice their reading skills in one-on-one sessions with a therapy dog and its owner.
“The main initiative [for the Canine Library] is to foster better relationships between dog owners and non-dog owners,” said Tanaka.
“With this program, you get to take out a dog and read it some poetry for 10 minutes, as well as interact with the dog and the owner.”
Vancouver Public Library
Participants can choose from various poetry books from VPL’s collection for their session. There will also be fun with VPL’s Children’s tent and poetry workshops with VPL’s Writer in Residence, Selina Boan, during the popular annual event.
Guests can also stop by the BiblioBike, an electric cargo trike transformed into a mobile branch of the Vancouver Public Library. You can sign up for a library card, check out a book, learn about VPL’s digital library, and discover the various library-related services.
The City of Vancouver’s Animal Services will also be on site with info about responsible pet ownership, guidance on wildlife safety and interactions, and details on adoptable animals.
The Canine Library will take place rain or shine, and the lineup of pups available to be checked out will be revealed closer to the event.
The Canine Library
When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: John Hendry Park — 3300 Victoria Dr., Vancouver (Behind the Trout Lake Community Centre on the east side and along the path)
Cost: Free