Summer Reads, Community Impact: Shop the June Friends of the Library Book Sale
Some books are destined for a second chapter. This June, the Kelowna Friends of the Library invite readers to discover…
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Win a Kobo! Adult Summer Reading Club 2026
From beach reads and backyard page-turners to audiobooks on road trips, summer has a way of creating a little extra…
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Discover Pride Month Picks on Kanopy
June is Pride Month, and Kanopy’s Celebrate Pride Month collection offers a thoughtful lineup of films, documentaries, and stories exploring…
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Beyond the Expected: Contemporary Indigenous Storytelling in Canada
National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to explore stories, histories, and voices from Indigenous creators across Canada. This year,…
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Summer Reading Club 2026 Is Making Waves!
Something big is making waves at the ORL! Summer Reading Club 2026 begins June 15, and this year’s theme is…
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From Gallery Walls to Library Shelves: New VPAG Exhibitions, New Reading List
The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) and the Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) are once again connecting gallery walls with library…
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Explore Stories from Around the World with LOTE4Kids
From bedtime stories in Punjabi to video read-alongs in American Sign Language (ASL), LOTE4Kids brings thousands of children’s stories from…
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Asian Heritage Month: Stories to Explore, Voices to Celebrate
Asian Heritage Month offers an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many cultures, histories, and contributions of people of Asian…
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Meet Jennifer Cooper: Stories of Strength, Sport, and Changing the Game
There’s something exciting about meeting an author, especially when their stories are full of bold ideas, big energy, and a…
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Staff Picks: Books We Love This Spring
There’s something about spring that pairs perfectly with a good story, a comfortable reading spot, and the promise of “just…
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What the Research Says: Libraries Matter More Than Ever
What do libraries contribute to their communities? It’s a question that feels easy to answer…until you try to put it…
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Vernon Friends of the Library Book Sale Returns!
Clear a little space on your shelves. Actually, clear a lot. The Vernon Friends of the Library Book Sale is…
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The Reading Challenge – Our New Favourites
There’s something satisfying about a reading goal. One book leads to another, and before long, you’ve travelled through entirely different…
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Help the Kelowna Friends of the Library Make the “Best of Kelowna” List
The Friends of the Library (FOL) help bring a lot of what we love about the ORL to life. So…
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Charter Day: Understanding the Rights That Shape Canada
What does it mean to have rights and freedoms protected by law? Charter Day, observed on April 17, offers a…
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From Tide Pools to Tree Canopies: Meet Illustrator Jana Curll Online
There’s something special about seeing how a story comes to life through lines, colour, and imagination. This spring, the ORL…
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April Reads a Little Differently. It’s Poetry Month!
April invites a more reflective kind of reading. A few lines at a time. A pause between pages. An image…
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From Gallery Walls to Library Shelves: the ORL and VPAG in Conversation
Art opens doors between people, ideas, and experiences we might not otherwise encounter. Through a new collaboration with the Vernon…
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Now Printing at the ORL: Meet the Bambu Lab X1C 3D Printer
From concept to creation, there’s a moment when imagination turns tangible. With the arrival of our new Bambu Lab X1C…
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A Generous Gift for Every Branch: Thank You to the Friends of the Library!
Libraries grow with their communities in many ways: through new ideas, shared experiences, and the steady support of people who…
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North Shuswap Branch Celebrates Grand Opening
The Okanagan Regional Library’s North Shuswap Branch officially celebrated its grand opening on 11 March in Scotch Creek, welcoming an…
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What’s Your Favourite Pi?
Every year on 14 March, math lovers around the world celebrate Pi Day—a playful tribute to the mathematical constant π…
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All the Feels Winter Reading Challenge: Congrats to Our Winners!
The ORL’s All the Feels Winter Reading Challenge wrapped up at the end of January, and we’re delighted to announce…
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ParentTV Is Here: Expert Parenting Videos, On Demand
Raising children comes with a lot of questions, and with help from your library the answers are only a few…
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World Storytelling Day: Stories That Shine in the Dark
Sometimes a story begins with “once upon a time.” Sometimes it begins with a question, a mystery, or a moment…
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So You Like Narwhal and Jelly!
Narwhal loves waffles. Jelly loves facts. Together, they make one of the ocean’s most delightful duos. If your young reader…
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Celebrating the ORL’s Grand Re-Opening in North Shuswap
We’re very excited to announce the next chapter for our North Shuswap community library. On 11 March 2026 at 11:00…
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New Creative Tools Coming Soon to the Kelowna-Rutland Makerspace
The ORL’s Kelowna – Rutland Makerspace is growing. New creative tools are arriving soon, expanding what you can design, build,…
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AI Introduction Series: Using AI for Research
Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly used for research. People ask them to explain topics, summarize articles, suggest books, or help…
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A Small-Scale Star: the ORL’s Downtown Kelowna Branch Featured in Canadian Architect
Last summer, we shared a delightful surprise: Little Canada in Toronto had created a detailed miniature replica of the Downtown…
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Accessible Tech: Explore the ORL’s New Ergonomic Essentials Kits
Improving accessibility and comfort at your desk can begin with something as simple as how you type or move a…
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Okanagan Regional Library Board Elects 2026 Leadership
Kelowna, BC – 18 February 2026 — The Board of Trustees of the Okanagan Regional Library (the ORL) convened for…
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Make Waves With Summer Reading Club 2026
Something big is making waves at the ORL. Summer Reading Club 2026 is on its way, and this year’s theme…
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You’re Invited! The Librarians Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Freedom to Read Week is a time to celebrate the right of Canadians to read what they choose, and to…
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Our Valentine Is A Love Of Learning
Valentine’s Day usually focuses on roses and romance. But there are many kinds of love worth celebrating. This year, why…
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Love The Princess In Black? Try These Next!
If The Princess in Black is on constant repeat at your house, you’re not alone. Brave heroes, secret identities, monsters,…
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The Quiet Work Behind Great Libraries
When people think about libraries, they often picture shelves of books, quiet tables, and welcoming public spaces. Less visible is…
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A Big Thank You to Summerland’s Kid Café Crew
Family Literacy Day is all about showing how learning can happen through everyday experiences, and the Summerland Branch’s Kid Café…
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Advocating for Libraries: The ORL CEO’s New Provincial Leadership Role
The ORL’s CEO, Danielle Hubbard, has been elected Vice Chair of the Association of BC Public Library Directors (ABCPLD). The…
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Soup’s On: Cozy Stories for Soup-er Kids!
Soup’s on! From overflowing cooking pots to flying spoons, soup (for some reason?) has a habit of turning up in…
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AI Introduction: Clearer Questions Equal Better Answers
Artificial intelligence tools are becoming part of everyday life. People are using them to plan trips, write emails, explore new…
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From Charter to Checkout: The Responsibility of Freedom
Freedom to read is often discussed as a right—and it is. In Canada, that right is rooted in the Canadian…
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Black History Month Reads at the ORL
Black History Month invites readers to explore stories, histories, and voices that reflect the depth and diversity of Black experience.…
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Come On Down! (The Benefits of Just Being Here)
Screens are a constant part of daily life. They help us learn, work, and stay connected, but they also mean…
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Safer Internet Day: Building Healthy Digital Habits Together
Safer Internet Day on 10 February 2026 is a global reminder that the internet can be a powerful tool when…
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New Year, New Skills: Top Online Learning Tools to Try Now
A new year often inspires us to try something different. Your ORL library card provides free access to Online Resources…
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Dig Into Your Roots: Genealogy Resources at the ORL
Curious about where your story begins? Whether you’re tracing a single family line or mapping out generations, genealogy research is…
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Celebrate Family Literacy Day with the ORL
Family Literacy Day is the perfect chance to slow down, share a story, and try something new together. This year’s…
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January at the ORL: Fun Programs to Brighten Your New Year
The New Year has arrived, and ORL branches are buzzing with programs that spark creativity, connection, and curiosity! Whether you’re…
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Most Anticipated Fiction of 2026: 15 Exciting New Reads
A brand-new reading year is here, and 2026 is poised to be brilliant for book lovers. From blockbuster thrillers to…
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