Welcome to our community!
With many affordable services available online and in person, our Library is a safe place for you to learn, connect and grow. Our spaces are free to use (no library card or membership required). You’ll need to obtain a free membership (library card) to borrow items from our shelves or download apps and eBooks.
RHPL consists of four community branches (Central, Oak Ridges, Richmond Green and Richvale) and a digital branch (our website). We provide access to information, computers, study space, and meeting rooms. We can create a conversation group, where you can come together and chat as a group, in your language, as well as practice speaking English. We might even have books in your language!
Access our website in your language. Click on the orange person icon on the top right corner of this webpage. Once a black menu bar appears, click on the language icon (fourth from the left) to translate the webpage.
Library Services for Newcomers
Learn a new language, get help preparing for your driver's license test or meet new people through a variety of programs and services offered at Richmond Hill Public Library.
Need help getting a library card or finding the right book, program or service for you? Connect with us by phone, email or chat.
- Get Your RHPL Card (Membership)
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Any child or adult who lives, works or goes to school in York Region is eligible for a full membership (a library card) with Richmond Hill Public Library. You can also receive a temporary membership (Visitor Card) if you’re staying in Richmond Hill for a few months.
You’ll need a library card to check out materials from our branches, borrow digital resources, or use the computers in our branches. You don’t need to have a library card to enter our branches, access study space, or use our free wireless internet.
- Prepare for your Citizenship test with Brainfuse
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All the resources you need to study and to take practice tests are available through BrainFuse, an online resource available with your RHPL card. Click on the link below to connect to Brainfuse with your RHPL card number. Once logged in, click on "Adult Learning" and from there, click on "Prepare for the Canadian Citizenship Test."
- Meet Community Members at a Library Program
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Our programs for both adults and kids are a great way to make new friends, develop a new skill, or a new hobby or interest area. We also offer a variety of programs specifically for persons who are new to Canada.
View upcoming programs in our program guide, In the Know.
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Receive English as a Second Language (ESL) supports
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Access our robust collection of ESL books and materials, including ESL test books (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and CELPIP) here.
Road to IELTS
Are you learning English as a second language? Road to IELTS is the official preparation course for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), one of the most popular ESL tests in Canada. You’ll find interactive activities, practice tests with answers, study guides and more to help you prepare for the IELTS Academic Test, which is meant for ESL learners applying for higher education or professional registration. - Learn English or French with Mango and Little Pim
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Mango
70+ languages and counting! Learn English, French, or any other language online or through the Mango app. Mango teaches practical conversation and cultural awareness for the world’s most popular languages. Users need to create an individual account to use this resource.
Little Pim
Language learning for kids 0-6, this resource introduces children to foreign languages in a way they can understand and enjoy.
- Access Business and Professional Resources
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Looking to start a new business or upgrade your skills through online courses? We offer services for professionals, including free small business consultations, a business plan builder, and on-demand professional development opportunities that are free with your RHPL card.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides trending, in-demand professional skills through on-demand video tutorials. The online learning site hosts over 160,000 videos in a variety of languages and on a variety of topics (including business, design, web development and multimedia skills) and software (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite and open source applications).
- Borrow Books, DVDs, Magazines, and Newspapers in Your Language
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We offer a large multilingual collection containing books, DVDs or magazines in French, Arabic, Chinese, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Punjabi, Persian, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Ukrainian, Urdu languages.
Visit our online catalogue and use the menu to the left to select specific languages. You can also use our Perfect Picks form to get recommendations on titles for yourself or your family member.
PressReader (Magazines and Newspapers)
PressReader offers over 7,000 publications (magazines and newspapers) in over 60+ languages from over 120 countries. With the Press Reader App, periodicals can be downloaded and read anywhere! Sign-up today with your library card or access via Hotspot on the library wireless network.
PressReader is free with your RHPL card. Click on the link below to access PressReader. In the top right corner, click Sign In and then click on Library or Group. In the search bar, type in Richmond Hill Public Library, and click on it. Enter your RHPL card number and PIN, then Log In.
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Prepare for your G1. Driver’s License Test
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Take the first step to becoming a new driver in Ontario. Learn the rules of the road and traffic signs and prepare for your G1 license test with G1.ca, which offers 15 practice tests and a G1 Test Simulator. Note: G1.ca is not affiliated with Drive Test and the Ministry of Transportation.
Community Services
Library Settlement Partnership
The Library Settlement Partnerships (LSP) offers a unique and innovative newcomer information service right here in Richmond Hill. This service includes one-on-one settlement information and referrals, group information sessions, and community outreach. We invite you to contact our LSP settlement worker, Sara Meghdadpour at 416-258-9015 or by email at smeghdadpour@ccsyr.org if you have any questions regarding employment, learning English or French, education, healthcare or support services (finance, legal, housing).
Services for Displaced Persons or Refugees
In addition to the supports provided by the Library, the following community supports may be helpful to persons who are refugees.
- Dopomoha.ca web portal provides resettlement information in Toronto and the surrounding area for persons displaced by the war in Ukraine. Supported by the Toronto Branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
- Afghan Women’s Organization works with refugees and immigrants, particularly those who have experienced wars and persecution, with a special focus on women and their families.
Additional Services for Newcomers
- Welcome Centres in York Region offer newcomers a suite of settlement services and referrals to meet their needs. Services include English language classes and translation services. A Welcome Centre is located in Richmond Hill, near Hillcrest Mall.
- Access Richmond Hill provides information about City’s programs and services.
- Richmond Hill New Residents webpage is a great resource to find out how our City can help you.
- Access York, a service provided by York Region, can connect you with a person who speaks your native language. Call Access York (1-877-464-9675), press ‘0’, say the language you speak, and an interpreter will join the call. Access York's hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Settlement.org provides newcomers with information and resources on education, employment, and daily life that can help you to settle in Ontario.
- On Richmond Hill Calendar of Events provides a list of upcoming community events that you can enjoy.