All ORL Branches are closed on statutory holidays.
Have a question? Call us at 250-832-6161 during open hours. For eBook help, please email help@orl.bc.ca or call 1-844-649-8127.
The library has two book return bins - one behind the library, next to the Canadian Tire loading dock and one inside the mall next to the library entrance and open during mall hours. Book drops are locked during extended closures (Easter and Christmas).
Free parking is available in the Piccadilly Mall parking lot.
To find and register for any of our programs, please see the Salmon Arm Branch Calendar of Events or browse the tabs below:
Drop-in | Wednesdays, April 3 and May 1 | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Skilled builders wanted! Connect with other kids and break out the bricks & planks for a building bonanza at the library. You can build with LEGO, Keva Planks, Meccano and more!
All ages are welcome. Children ages 9 and under must have a responsible adult stay with them.
Warning: there will be small pieces out that little ones could choke on.
Drop-in | Wednesday, April 10 | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Explore the library's cool S.T.E.A.M. toys and learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in a fun and unstructured environment.
Drop-in | Wednesday, April 24 | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
It's a reading club for kids! Enjoy snacks and colouring while you listen to a story! Snacks and colouring pages provided. Bring a Pillow/blanket to snuggle on if you wish.
Children 9 and under need a responsible adult to stay with them.
Drop-in | Saturday, April 13 | 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Join TAG and earn volunteer hours! You will also get to hang out with a group of wonderful teens and help the Youth Services Librarian plan and implement programs for teens.
Snacks are provided at each meeting.
All teens welcome.
Registration Required | Tuesday, April 23 | 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
This workshop is presented by Missy from MisMacK. Join her for makeup and skin care tips. Missy will show you how to make your performance and everyday makeup shine even brighter.
Any interested teen is welcome to register. Space is limited.
Registration Required | Wednesday, May 22 | 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Do you sometimes wish you had the carefree life of a 3-year-old?
Did you know we miss seeing you at the library each week?
It's time to release your inner child, and come to the Teen Story Time Reunion! We'll get caught up on life, take a walk down memory lane, embrace our inner child, and enjoy a nostalgic story time with Ardie.
Registration Required | Saturdays | 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Do you want to hang out with the sweetest dog ever? Come meet Rolo at the Salmon Arm library. Rolo is a miniature poodle and a certified St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog. He loves to be read to, petted and talked to. Rachel, his human, is also there to answer questions you may have about Rolo, therapy dogs, and more.
You can sign up for one-on-one sessions or drop-in and see if Rolo and Rachel are free for a chat.
Drop-in | Thursdays | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Drop-in | Saturdays | 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
Are you looking for a safe and fun environment for your child to play and socialize? Stay & Play is the perfect place for your little one to enjoy unstructured playtime, make new friends, and develop important social skills. Enjoy a fun-filled time with toys, games, books and friends!
Stories, songs, dancing, puppets and lots of fun and laughter for all ages and stages!
Drop-In | Mondays, January 29 to March 25 | 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Baby Time is an wonderful way to bond with your baby, have fun, and develop early literacy and speech skills. Join us for an interactive program full of songs, rhymes, tickles, books, and more! Stay afterwards to socialize with other parents and caregivers.
Recommended for newborns to 2 years. Siblings are welcome!
Drop-in | Thursdays, January 18 to March 21 |10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Drop-in | Saturdays, January 20 to March 23 | 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Story Time celebrates the joys of language and story through the use of music, puppets, picture books, storytelling, and more! Story Time programs are fun! They build social skills, simulate the imagination, and strengthen language, listening and visual skills.
Registration is required | Weekly on Tuesdays | 6:30 to 7:15 PM
Grab your stuffies and snuggle in for stories, songs and rhymes online! Geared for ages 3-6 years, but all ages are welcome. Presented by Judy from Kelowna
Drop-in | 3rd Tuesdays of the month | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Gather in a safe, supportive space to share all the challenges, joys, and surprises that come with welcoming a new baby! Facilitated by Deena of Little Mountain Doulas, connect with other new parents and learn more about postpartum health, pregnancy, infant health, and more. Geared towards caregivers of infants 12 months and younger.
Expecting parents and all people who identify as mothers are welcome!
Come to our TAG meetings and see how you can help make the library a welcoming and exciting place for all teens in Salmon Arm.
TAG helps the Salmon Arm Youth Services Librarian with teen programs, book displays, and more! We meet 1 or 2 Saturdays each month at 2:30 PM. Meetings are about 30 - 45 mins long, and dates will be posted on our Events Calendar.
Snacks are provided at each meeting!
Go to our Events Calendar to see the full list of online activities, details and dates.
Check out our prerecorded oral stories, songs and rhymes on our ORL YouTube Channel:
Songs and Rhymes
Oral Stories
Pictures from past programs can be found at our Salmon Arm Kids in the Library blog. Note: This blog is no longer updated.
All programs and events at the Salmon Arm Library are FREE to the public. For more information about our programs, please call 250-832-6161 or email salmonarm@orl.bc.ca.
Do you have an idea for a library program that you'd like to attend or host? Propose a program! We'd love to hear your suggestions!
Uke-strumental in C
Register online | Monday, March 25 | 1:00-4:00 pm
Explore the beauty of 4 instrumental classical music pieces while learning how to read tablature and learning the individual notes on the ukulele fretboard. It's easier than you think! We'll look at chord melody and finish the day with a uke-stration of our new skills!
This workshop is suitable for beyond beginners and intermediate levels. Not suitable for lefties or baritones. High or low g is fine. Participants may find a soprano or concert size uke easier for this workshop. Limited loaners are available. Bring your uke, music stand, tuner, pencil and enthusiasm! Registration is required.
PRE-REQUISITES: Participants should be able to keep a steady rhythm in 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 time and be proficient in playing the C scale both ascending and descending, smoothly and at various tempos. Essential chords to know for this workshop are Am, C, G, Em, F, E7, D and Dm.
Community Assistance
1st Thursday of the month | 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Do you need free, confidential legal assistance? Our Legal Advocate can assist you with:
Drop-in any time between 1:30 - 3:30 pm with your questions! This initiative is generously provided by The Shuswap Family Centre.
Computer & Technology Training
February 6-March 12
Tuesdays | 3 - 4 pm
The Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society is offering a drop-in technology help desk to assist with basic questions about using digital devices. This includes tablets, cell phones, laptops and computers. Examples of topics suitable for the drop-in technology help desk include:
This is a Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society initiative.
Tuesdays | 1 - 4 pm
Join us at the Salmon Arm Library for free one-on-one tutoring sessions for seniors who have never used computers or have a very basic knowledge of computers. Decide what devices, programs and skills you want to work on.
To register as a learner or tutor, contact Sierre Allison at info@shuswapliteracy.ca or 250-463-4555. This is a Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society initiative.
Book Clubs & Literary Events
1st Tuesday of the month | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Come listen to wonderful stories - or even share your own!
Shuswap Storytellers is open to everyone -- storytellers as well as dedicated listeners. Our goal is to cultivate the oral traditions of storytelling in a supportive and positive environment. Most people tell stories about themselves but they can be about other people, a place or a happening. Stories affirm who we are and allow us to experience the similarities between ourselves and others. Please join us for an entertaining morning of storytelling in a warm and comfortable setting. Find more details and guidelines on our Events Calendar!
Register Online | 2nd Tuesday of the month | 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Register Online | Thursdays | 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Welcome to Classics Book Club, an online book club all about tackling those classic novels you've heard about - but haven't yet read!
Please ensure your email address is entered correctly, as we will be sending you the link to participate shortly before the event. The program is delivered via Microsoft Teams.
To participate, you will need:
January 4 - February 1: In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
February 15: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
March 7 and 21: Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
April 4 and 18: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
May 2 and 16: A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
June 6: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald
July 4 and 18: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
While we endeavor to have eBook copies available, participants are responsible for finding their own copy of the book.
Special Interest Groups
2nd and 4th Mondays | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to research your family tree? Join our friendly group of genealogists at the library to share ideas, learn new tips and tricks, and solve research roadblocks. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned family historian, we'll help you with your research. Bring your own computer, or bring a USB drive and use one of ours. We meet every second and fourth Monday at 10:30 am. Drop in, no registration required.
Drop-in; no registration required | Tuesdays | 1:00 - 3:45 pm
If you spin (or are interested in learning!), join the Shuswap Spinners and Weavers on Tuesday afternoons in the meeting room.
Thursdays | 11:00 am - Noon
Saturdays | 1-2 pm
Interested in playing Scrabble and meeting new friends? Come to the new Scrabble club at the library every Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon!
Drop in, no registration required | Fridays | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join the Odd Socks knitting group every Friday afternoon. New members and all capabilities are welcome!
Thursdays | 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Come strum with us! Join us for a fun and relaxed jam with fellow uke enthusiasts. All skill levels are welcome, but players should know the basics. Please bring your ukulele and a music stand. Contact Kristy with any questions: ksmith@orl.bc.ca
Need assistance? We can draw upon our Reference collection, which includes many print and digital resources, such as vehicle repair manuals, legal reference works, and directories.
Looking for some inspiration on what to read next? Ask our staff for suggestions on good books or authors to read, movies or TV series to watch, or music to listen to. If you’re browsing in the library, we also have displays on various topics.
We display art work from local artists and artist groups in the community. Please contact the Branch Head Librarian if you are interested in displaying your work in the library: ksmith@orl.bc.ca
If you need assistance downloading eBooks and other digital content to your tablet or eReader, we can help! Click here for more information about our digital resources, such as eBooks, or magazines you can download to your tablet for free!
We have 7 Internet stations you can use for free; you just need an ORL library card to log on the computers. We also have a printer (25 cents/page, black and white copies).Our computers have Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as Google Earth, and access to subscription services such as Ancestry, Alldata (vehicle repair), BC Codes (BC Plumbing and Fire Codes), and Grant Connect (a fundraising/grants website).
Our photocopier does double-sided copying, as well as enlarging/reducing. Copies are 25 cents/page, and are black and white. You can also scan documents with our photocopier, and email as a PDF copy. Scanning is free, but you have to deposit a quarter to activate the menu. Staff are available if you need assistance.
As of January 2020, we are unable to provide invigilation services at the Salmon Arm Branch. Please contact your nearest branch to inquire about their exam policies. The Salmon Arm Okanagan College campus (250-832-2126) offers invigilation services at a fee.
We can provide an introduction to the library or tailor the visit around a project/assignment. Contact us today to see how we can help your class. To book a free tour for kids, call Ardie Burnham at 250-832-6161 ext. 5828 or email her at aburnham@orl.bc.ca
Next meeting: Monday Jan 22nd at 11am at the Salmon Arm Library.
The Friends of the Library group supports the library through advocacy and fundraising. We have recently helped fund:
We are looking for new members! If you love the library and would like to join our group, please contact trudy.vercholuk@gmail.com for more information. Annual membership dues are $5.
The October 2023 book sale was a wonderful success, raising over $2600 for the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap libraries. Thank you to all who volunteered at, donated to, and/or supported the book sale!
Next book sale: April 12th and 13th at the Salmon Arm Library
We appreciate book donations from the public of gently used materials. We will happily accept the following items:
The following materials are not accepted:
Thank you for thinking of the library! If you have more than one box of books to donate, please call ahead (250-832-6161) to ensure we have space.
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