There’s a lot happening across the approximately 59,600 km² service area of the Okanagan Regional Library. At its September 9 meeting, the ORL Board of Trustees approved the organization’s draft 2027 budget and heard updates on everything from wildfire response and provincial funding to new collection items, programs, technology, and the system-wide Maker Tour. Here are some of the highlights.
Investing in Library Service for 2027
The Board approved the ORL’s 2027 draft budget, supporting continued investment in library services, technology, collections, and infrastructure. The budget includes a new Makerspace reserve to help replace and update STEAM equipment over time. It also provides additional funding to expand Endpoint Detection and Response cybersecurity protection across the organization.
Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Feddersen also reported that the ORL remains on budget for 2026.
Supporting Communities During Wildfire Season
Chief Executive Officer Danielle Hubbard provided an update on the ORL’s response during a challenging wildfire season. The Summerland and Peachland branches temporarily closed during evacuation orders and alerts, and delivery routes were adjusted to maintain service to southern branches. The ORL extended due dates for patrons in affected communities and waived charges for library materials lost or damaged because of the fires.
Library staff also provided care packages to evacuation centres and helped evacuees access Emergency Support Services, insurance forms, and other resources. Following inspection and remediation, the Summerland Branch reopened on August 22.
“The role of public libraries extends well beyond our collections, especially when communities face unexpected challenges,” said Hubbard. “With the 2027 draft budget approved, we can continue investing in our collections, programs, technology, and infrastructure while managing public resources responsibly.”
An Update on Provincial Library Funding
Trustees also received positive news about provincial library funding. Following advocacy by the ORL, local governments, and other public library systems, the Province provided supplemental funding that effectively restored the ORL’s 2026 provincial funding to its previous level.
The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs has also indicated that it will consult with the public library sector about future funding, with the ORL participating in that process.
More Books, More Programs, More Ways to Explore
The meeting also offered a snapshot of just how much has been happening across the ORL this year.
Since January 1, the ORL has added 46,138 physical items to its collection and offered more than 1,070 programs across the region.
This year’s system-wide Maker Tour brought interactive STEAM programming to every ORL branch and welcomed more than 1,000 attendees. The ORL’s Digital Collection also continues to expand, giving patrons access to an even broader selection of ebooks and e-audiobooks.
From strengthening the collections and technology you use every day to supporting communities during emergencies, these updates reflect the many ways library service is evolving across the region.
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