The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is now offering library cardholders unlimited and fully-searchable digital access to the archives and ongoing issues of 20 art, poetry, literature, music and architecture magazines via Exact Editions.

A range of magazine covers.
The collection of 20 digital editions.

The collection includes a range of Canadian titles such as Brick, The Capilano Review and Musicworks, as well as international household names such as Granta, Sight & Sound and Frieze. These new acquisitions allow library members to engage with content that enriches the cultural landscape of Vancouver and beyond.

Browse a selection of issues from VPL’s new collection.

Subscriptions for Libraries

A digital subscription via Exact Editions offers a range of benefits:

  • Fully-searchable access, enhanced by the Boolean search function which allows users to search for specific terms across an entire archive, specific decade, year or individual issue.
  • IP authenticated access allows for a seamless browsing experience.
  • Remote access options enable subscriptions to be accessible off-site 24/7.
  • The digital archives are available across web, iOS and Android platforms.
  • Every page on Exact Editions has its own unique URL. This lets users easily cite their sources and bookmark specific pages for future research.
  • Inclusivity features, such as plain text and ‘Read Aloud’ technology, allow for a particularly accessible experience.
  • For librarians, usage reports, MARC records and KBART data are downloadable from the administrator portal. 

For a full walk-through, watch a demo of the Reader site or the administrative account.

About Vancouver Public Library:

Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is the public library system for the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Across 21 locations and online, VPL serves over 236,000 active members and is the largest public library system in the province. For more information, please visit: http://www.vpl.ca

About Exact Editions:

With a high-quality interface and advanced search functions, the Exact Editions platform provides a user-friendly and straightforward reading experience. Read more about our accessibility features here.

Individual digital subscriptions to magazines are available in the Exact Editions shop. If you are looking to subscribe on behalf of a library, you can view the wide range of digital magazines available or contact us as institutions@exacteditions.com

*The Reading Room link will expire on the 15th July 2025*