Attending in-library programs? Proof of vaccinations and masks are required for all programs and events you attend in person. View more details.
View our guidelines for safely using your library during Step 3.
All ORL Branches are closed on statutory holidays.
Masks are mandatory in all public indoor spaces. If you do not have one staff can supply you with a mask upon entry into the Branch.
We are currently at full hours, seating is available and our water fountain is open. Face masks are mandatory in the library.
Have a question? Call us at 250-762-2800 during open hours. For eBook, resource or reference help you can also email help@orl.bc.ca or call 1-844-649-8127.
We are pleased to be offering in-person story time programs this Winter!
The following steps will be taken in order to keep everyone safe:
Ages newborn to 18 months | Tuesdays | 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM
Baby Time is our joyful early literacy program that helps grow the roots of a lifelong love of language. Bond with your baby through the power of song and rhymes! Registration required.
January 25 – March 29
Ages 18 months to 3 years | Mondays OR Wednesdays | 10:15 AM to 10:45 AM
Toddler Time helps young children develop early literacy skills through fun stories, rhymes and songs based on simple concepts. Registration required.
January 24 – March 30
Family | Thursdays OR Saturdays | 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
Join us for fun stories, rhymes, puppets and songs that will get the family dancing, singing and learning together. Registration required.
January 27 – March 31
Family | Fridays | 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Join us in the Spartan Room at Parkinson Recreation Centre (1800 Parkinson Way, Kelowna) for fun stories, rhymes, puppets and songs that will get the family dancing, singing and learning together. Registration is not required, but caregivers will be required to sign-in and show proof of vaccination on arrival. Maximum attendance of 50 people.
January 14 – March 18
Families | Tuesdays @ 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM or Wednesdays @ 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Wonderful stories, rhymes, and songs will keep the family dancing, singing, and learning together, all from the comfort of home. This program will be presented on Microsoft TEAMS. Registration required.
January 11 – March 30
Families | Tuesdays | 6:30 PM to 7:10 PM
Pyjama Story Time will remain virtual. Featuring longer books, songs, puppets and rhymes. Don’t forget your stuffie! Designed for ages 3-6 but all ages welcome. This program will be presented on Microsoft TEAMS. Registration required.
January 11 – March 29
See our Event's Calendar for our full selection of programs.
Family | Sunday, January 23 to Saturday, January 29
Be sure to stop by this week to engage in some literacy-related fun as a family! Take home a craft kit (available while supplies last), complete a scavenger hunt, and play with our new toys. Drop-in.
Ages 6-12 | Select Sundays | 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
On select Sundays this Winter, join us to explore exciting STEAM concepts: Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math! Registration required.
January 30, February 13, February 27, March 13, March 27
Ages 9-12 | Tuesdays, February 8, 15 and 22 | 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Discover and show off your creative talents! Over three weeks, participants will be taken through the process of writing, building, filming, editing, and publishing their creations. There is no limit to imagination! Registration required.
Family | Saturday, February 12 | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Make a gift for someone special in your life! Visit the library to pick-up a Valentine's Day craft kit containing necessary supplies and instructions. Available while supplies last.
Ages 6-12 | Friday, February 18 | 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Drop-in to try out some new toys! Get high-tech with Snap Circuits or a Code & Go Robot Mouse, or kick it old-school with building blocks and LEGO. We have something for every age and stage to try! Drop-in.
Ages 13+ | Thursdays, bi-weekly | 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Jackbox is a collection of party games where players use their mobile devices to write, draw, and vote their way to victory. Bring your funny bone and prepare for a night of laughs! Registration required.
January 20, February 3, February 17, March 3, March 17, March 31
Ages 13+ | Thursdays, January 27, February 24, March 24 | 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Teen Advisory Group (TAG) is a place where you can share your ideas about the library’s teen programs, services and collections! Join a group of like-minded teens and geek out about books, play games, plan future programs, and help make the library a better place for all teens in the community. Registration required.
Some programs are offering virtually, in-person or a hybrid of both. Please pay attention to the description to see how it is being offered. Public health orders are in effect, including vaccine passports, masks and social distancing.
The library uses Teams for its online programming. Visit our Teams introduction document to learn how it works.
While all library programming is free to attend, we will occasionally instruct patrons to bring their own materials. Please read program descriptions carefully for all the information you'll need. Feel free to email us at klreference@orl.bc.ca if you have any questions or concerns.
Jump to:
Special Events
Book Clubs & Literary Events
Culture
Technology Training
Genealogy
Games Nights
MakerSpace
Adults | January 25th to February 16th Tuesdays from 2:30pm to 4:00pm - or - Wednesdays from 10:00am to 11:30am
Registration required
Do you need to right-size, de-clutter, move or clean out an estate?
In this 4-part "Home Organization Workshop 2," Eleanor "Organization" Deckert will help you gain the skills and confidence to restore order and easily find the items you are searching for.
There are four sessions in total, two as indicated above, with another set starting February 22nd. See our calendar for more details.
Adults | Monday, January 24th at 6:30pm
A divorce isn’t always as difficult as it may seem. Brian Burgess, a family lawyer of 30 plus years, leads this walkthrough of forms one would need to file an uncontested divorce.
This program is offered both in-person and online via Teams. For either option, please register first. You will receive a confirmation email with the Teams login and further instructions.
Note: Public health orders are in effect. Vaccine passports, masks and social distancing are required for this event. If you are unable to follow these mandates, please attend online.
Book Club is back! We will meet the third Thursday of the month, 2:00pm in person, 7:00pm online.
Feb 17th: "Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk
March 17th: "Normal People" by Sally Rooney
Please email Jen at jenniferwhite@orl.bc.ca if you would like to participate, or if you have any questions.
Happy Reading!
Adults | January 25th to February 16th Tuesdays from 6:00pm to 7:30pm - or - Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm
In this 4-part virtual workshop, Eleanor will share her unique Memoir Writing Method with beginners and challenge writers who have attempted memoir writing to improve the reader's experience.
October 16, November 20, December 18 | 10:30 am to 12:00 pm..
Do you like French literature? Do you like to talk about literature in French? Join our virtual Literary Café Club and share a common passion, while enjoying a coffee, a tea, or a hot chocolate at home!
The program is open for all levels of French. Registration Required
October 16: La femme qui fuit by Anais Barbeau-Lavalette November 20: L'Étranger by Albert Camus December 18: L'Avenir by Catherine Leroux
Join our French Conversation group in person, to practice your French conversation skills and meet new people. Activities, games and special topics for all levels of French speakers.
We will be meeting every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.
You don't need to register, just drop in!
All Ages | October 4, 2021 - April 1, 2022
Read outstanding books by diverse authors to gain new knowledge, build empathy, and empower yourself. Chance to win prizes! For details on how to participate, related events, and booklists visit: www.orl.bc.ca/read-woke
Share Your Memories Online
Seniors | Every second week of the month @ 10:00 am to 11:30 am.
Meet, socialize, and share past memorable experiences, memories and pictures with us. This program will be presented on Microsoft TEAMS. Registration Required
November 12: What is your favorite memory? December 10: What is your worst memory?
We cannot offer in-branch technical help at this time. Please call our virtual help line at 1-844-649-8127 or email us at help@orl.bc.ca and one of our tech experts will assist you.
Adults | Mondays, January 17 and 24, 2:30-3:30pm.
Want to learn how to connect your shiny new device to the library? Join our digital information courses to learn how to use the library's most popular digital platforms for eBooks, audiobooks and magazines!
Public Health Orders in effect: vaccine passports, masks and social distancing are required in order to attend this event.
In-branch family history assistance is currently limited. Visit our Facilities & Services tab for more information.
Registration Required
Every fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Join us for monthly topics hosted virtually by the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society! They will cover a variety of fascinating topics related to family history. Please visit our events calendar to register and receive the Zoom login information necessary to participate.
There is no December session for FHF! We will resume in January, 2022. Come back later for more details.
Join us in the Makerspace to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials - such as our 3D printer, Cricut cutter, digitization station, recording studio and more!
We are currently not offering certification sessions. Visit the Facilities and Services tab for more information.
- Please visit our Re-Opening Safety Measures page to see which library services may be altered due to our COVID-19 safety protocols.
Visit our system-wide Makerspace Page to view the services we offer.
Those under 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian maker. Contact or visit the Branch to learn more.
Visit our reservation platform, Spaces, to view and reserve times for specific Makerspace devices.
The Makerspace is open by appointment only during these hours:
Please note that some of our equipment have reduced hours compared to others.
We look forward to welcoming you back!
Please note that due to current Public Health Orders, there are additional requirements that renters must agree to follow in order to be eligible to book library spaces including reduced capacity limits.
Renter agreements (required due to Public Health Orders)
I, as the meeting organizer / host, agree to follow the PHO Guidelines for Events and Gatherings while using this space including:
We have a variety of bookable and rental spaces in the Kelowna Library. All meeting spaces have free Wi-Fi. Some have presentation equipment available.
Please download and read Kelowna Library Rental Spaces Information Document for complete information, or call the library at 250-762-2800 with any questions.
Click here to view a basic map showing the locations of all our meeting rooms.
You can reserve a meeting room online at https://orl.evanced.info/spaces, at least two days in advance. Library staff will approve your booking based on availability.
Small Meeting Rooms
Available during branch open hours only. Rooms are as is - no office supplies, A/V equipment or additional furnishings provided.
We currently have two small meeting rooms available to book. These rooms are free, hold up to 6 people, and can be booked up to 2 months in advance.
Classrooms
Available during branch open hours only. Setup and take-down (exception of A/V equipment) is the responsibility of the renter.
There is one classroom available for rent on the second floor. It can be rented on its own, or with the adjacent room to form one large meeting space (Great Room). The classrooms have glass walls which can be opened or closed to change the configuration of the space.
If 20+ attendees, all refuse must be taken by the renter.
The library features a large event space on the second floor comprising the two classrooms. The furniture is flexible in this space and it can be rearranged to accommodate a variety of functions. Please inquire for more details about this space.
Setup and take-down (exception of A/V equipment) is the responsibility of the renter.
Please contact the branch at 250-762-2800 for further information or to book a room.
The library features 9 public computer terminals which grant 1 hour of internet time. Use your library card to log in or speak with staff to receive a temporary computer pass. Extensions may be granted provided there are enough free terminals available. Visit our general Computers and Internet Access page for more details.
The library also has complimentary Wi-Fi. Simply connect to the "ORL" wireless network and agree to our terms and conditions to begin.
More library seating is now available. Patrons may now use tables in small groups with people they know, or individual seating along our windows. Check-in is no longer required and time restrictions have been removed.
Masks are required.
The ORL partners with the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society to offer assistance with family history research and hosts a special in-branch library of historical and genealogical material. Access their catalogue of resources here or visit in person.
The Kelowna branch of the ORL features a collection of archival material on microfilm, including newspapers and government records, as well as a microfilm reader donated by the Friends of the Library. Inter-library requests are also available. Please submit a request with staff and we will try to locate records for you.
The library holds the following records in microfilm format:
Globe & Mail, January 1992 – 2020
Kelowna Courier, July 1904 – December 2017
BC Directories, 1860 – 2001
BC Birth Registrations (including “delayed” and “Indian”), 1858 – 1903
BC Marriage Registrations, 1872 – 1932
BC Death Registrations, 1872 – 1988
Canada Census Records, 1666 – 1916
Archives of Ontario Indexes to Births, Marriages & Deaths:
MS 931, reels 1-28 (births, 1869 - 1906)
MS 934, reels 1-27 (marriages, 1873 - 1921)
MS 937, reels 1-28 (deaths, 1869 - 1931)
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.
Daycares/Preschools must register if they wish to attend a storytime.
To book a free tour for kids contact Kelowna Youth Services Department 250-762-2800 or klysreference@orl.bc.ca.
Groups of adults can enjoy a tour at the library too!
ESL classes, retirement homes, book clubs and more can contact Kelowna Reference for further information.
To book a free tour for adults contact the Kelowna Reference Department 250-762-2800 or klreference@orl.bc.ca.
The library offers free exam invigilation. Students must book 2 weeks in advance and follow all health and safety regulations as described by our policies and BC health officials. The library will provide a computer with internet access if needed.
We offer 3 hour timeslots in the following days and times:
Please speak with Kelowna staff to book a time. Restrictions apply.
The Kelowna Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization formed in 1988, is registered under the Society Act of British Columbia and the Canada Income Tax Act.
Persons interested in libraries are encouraged to volunteer with Friends as we support the downtown Kelowna, Mission & Rutland branches through our fundraising book sales and joint activities.
Funds raised significantly support Summer Reading Club and year-round programming for babies to toddlers to teens plus guest speakers & events for adults; and enhanced facilities at the three branches.
Towards their various year-round book sales, Kelowna Friends accept donations of gently used books to their *NEW* sorting house at #114-2476 Westlake Road, West Kelowna, V1Z 2V2. This new Friends location is next to the Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital. Volunteers are on duty to review and accept items at this new location on Fridays, from 9:00 to 11:30 AM.
PLEASE NOTE: There is presently a dropbox available for your good used books at the ORL Administrative Centre at 1430 K.L.O. Road. And we're pleased to let you know a 2nd dropbox is now operational outside the Parkinson Rec Centre!
Kelowna Friends' major fundraiser, the Great Okanagan Book Sale, takes place in November each year. The Kelowna Friends sponsor an endowment fund with the Central Okanagan Foundation.
For volunteer and donation information, please visit www.kelownafol.ca, or email Friends at fol4k@hotmail.com.
Follow Kelowna Friends on Facebook to keep updated on their latest activities and read posts on ORL, libraries, reading & literacy.
Directors of Kelowna Friends of the Library hold meetings rotated between the three branch libraries, at 5:30 PM on the second Monday of each month. No board meetings are held in July & August.
The society's AGM is held on a Saturday in late November. For further information, please email fol4k@hotmail.com.
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