When teachers and librarians work together, powerful things happen.
Regular access to libraries plays an important role in developing lifelong readers. The Kids & Family Reading Report found that nearly seven in ten children wish they had more time to read independently (Scholastic Canada 2024). Research from the University of Cambridge adds that children who read for pleasure early in life show stronger verbal skills and higher overall academic achievement in adolescence (Cai et al. 2023).
Library visits offer a chance to explore, question, and discover. Whether it’s a first introduction to the library, a focused research session supporting a specific project, or a hands-on tour through our STEAM Makerspaces, library staff can design experiences that complement your class and curriculum. These visits help students navigate information, develop research skills, and find stories that reflect their own lives and communities.
For many students, visiting the library opens a world they might not experience elsewhere. Our shelves offer stories for every kind of reader—adventurers, dreamers, question-askers, and deep thinkers. Each visit helps students build vocabulary, imagination, and empathy through diverse and inclusive books.
A library visit isn’t just another outing—it’s an invitation to explore, question, and grow.
Bring your class to your local Okanagan Regional Library branch, or invite library staff to visit your school. Visits are available throughout the school year and can be tailored to your classroom goals.
To book a visit, please contact your local branch or connect with our Head of Youth Services, Ashley, at amachum@orl.bc.ca.
References
- Cai, Barbara, et al. 2023. “Reading for Pleasure Early in Childhood Linked to Better Cognitive Performance and Mental Wellbeing.” University of Cambridge, July 2023. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/reading-for-pleasure-early-in-childhood-linked-to-better-cognitive-performance-and-mental-wellbeing.
- Scholastic Canada. 2024. Kids & Family Reading Report: Reading in School. https://www.scholastic.ca/readingreport/reading-in-school.php.
