Langley residents flocking to local libraries, data shows

Langley’s population growth is driving more and more people to local libraries, especially to attend programs hosted by staff, according to data collected by the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL).

Libraries across Langley are seeing big increases in the number of people coming in for programming. Much of that is traditional storytime for children, but over the years, the libraries have added a huge host of programs for children, youths and adults. You’re likely to see a story time session for young children, followed by a game of Dungeons & Dragons for teens or tweens, followed by the meeting of a knitting group, said FVRL CEO Scott Hargrove.

“We had a storytelling session in the City of Langley, and it was getting so popular we had to split it in two,” Hargrove recalled.

Then both sessions kept expanding, and staff added a microphone and speakers so all the children could hear the reader.

Eventually, the City mayor’s office, which is upstairs from the library, had to politely ask them to turn down the volume a little.

In 2024, libraries in Langley City and Township held 2,245 programs, 1,299 for children and 946 for adults. That’s a 14.3 per cent increase in the total number of programs in one year.