‘As essential as soap’: Surrey Libraries initiative provides free menstrual products at all branches

A Surrey Libraries initiative is addressing the negative effects of period poverty by offering free menstrual products at each of their branches.

Project Period aims to help those who cannot afford or access menstrual products, such as tampons and pads.

The initiative came about when a staff member attended the British Columbia Library Association’s (BCLA) annual BC Library Conference a few years ago, where the idea of offering free menstrual products was brought up, says Meghan Savage, Surrey Libraries’ acting director of public services.

Surrey Libraries saw it as an opportunity to implement the idea into their branches, Savage says, adding that it aligned well with their commitment to community well-being.

“The goal is to help fight period poverty, support health, dignity and equity, and remove everyday barriers for people who menstruate,” she says.

One in six Canadians who menstruate have personally experienced period poverty, the Government of Canada reported in 2024.

The journey towards free menstrual products at the city’s libraries faced challenges when implementing Project Period.

In an email statement to The Runner, Savage wrote that there were issues with vandalism and patrons raising concerns about the initiative being “out of scope” for the libraries.

“Period products [were] being scattered around and thrown away,” Savage wrote. “We also received a few comments from patrons who disagreed with us providing these [products] for free.”

Despite the challenges, Savage says the initiative has gone from being in a few branches to all 10 of Surrey Libraries’ locations.

The project is different from other community programs, since the branches are located close to schools, community centres, and transit stations — providing quick access to products to those who need them through signage and dispensers.

Savage says that depending on the library branch, products are available in every washroom, not just the women’s washrooms. 

“We want everyone who visits a Surrey Libraries branch to feel supported, respected, and able to access what they need without cost or judgment,” she says.

“Our focus is always on supporting community well-being. Period products are basically just health necessities. We want to ensure that folks have them — barrier-free access.”

Savage hopes initiatives like Project Period normalize the conversation about period poverty in the community.

“Period poverty does affect people’s ability to go to work, school, and take part in daily activities,” she says. “These products are as essential as soap or toilet paper.”

Surrey Libraries are accepting donations to fund Project Period and meet the demand for products. For more information and to donate, visit www.surreylibraries.ca/project-period.