Lifelong learning

Our goal: Access to lifelong learning and development opportunities

CITY LIBRARIES

number of public library branches in Vancouver

Lifelong learning is a key building block in promoting personal, social and societal well‑being. Including learning in the Healthy City framework ensures that non-formal and informal learning opportunities is a valued contributor to the overall health, prosperity, and resilience of Vancouverites.

Some benefits of lifelong learning include:

Early learning contributes to school readiness
Adult learning increases confidence and self‑efficacy
Learning in a group setting can enhance social networks

People engaged in lifelong learning are better prepared to participate in civic life and work collaboratively to address common challenges.

Our target: Increase participation in lifelong learning by 25% over 2014 levels

Progress we've made so far

LIBRARY USERS

Source: Vancouver Public Library

Read our success stories

How we measure change

We use a number of data sources to monitor trends in the health of the city. We monitor progress toward Lifelong Learning using data from the federal census program, public library program and use statistics and other sources relating to learning and technology.
Access to the internet
- 89% Metro Vancouver residents with home internet access (2012)
  Source: Canadian Internet Access Survey (Statistics Canada)
- 1.2 million internet sessions at public library workstations (2017)
  Source: Operating report (Vancouver Public Library (980 KB)
Reading for general pleasure or interest
- In 2013, 82% of Canadians read as often or more often for pleasure
  Source: National Reading Campaign, Pleasure Reading Survey
- 9.5 million total physical and digital material circulation at public libraries (2017)
  Source: Operating report (Vancouver Public Library (980 KB)
Participation in a learning event or program
- 251.8 thousand people attending children, teen, or adult Vancouver Public Library programs (2017)
  Source: Operating report (Vancouver Public Library (980 KB)
High-school graduation and post-secondary education rates for Indigenous people
- 89% six-year high school completion rate for all students compared to 46% for Indigenous students (2017)
  Source: BC Schools - Six Year Completion Rate (BC Ministry of Education)
- 73% all persons age 25-64 have a post-secondary certificate compared to 57% for Indigenous persons (2016)
  Source: Long-Form Census/National Household Survey (Statistics Canada)
2015-2018 Priority actions

Steps toward achieving this goal in the first four years of the Healthy City Strategy.
1. Develop the Vancouver Summer of Learning program, leverage the Vancouver Learning Guide, and explore the future expansion of these initiatives including the use of Digital Badges.
  - Results: We will increase Vancouverites' level of awareness and participation in informal learning opportunities in everyday life.