BC Day: All library locations will be closed on Monday, August 2, for BC Day. Regular hours resume on Tuesday, August 3.
View our guidelines for safely using your library during Step 3.
All ORL Branches are closed on statutory holidays.
We are currently at full hours, seating is available and our water fountain is open. Face masks are now recommended, but not 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.
Fridays from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM
July 9 to August 20, 2021
Designed for ages 3-6 but all ages welcome | Registration required.
Presented by Judy. Email her at jmillard@orl.bc.ca for more information.
This program will be presented on Microsoft TEAMS. Please register on our Events Calendar.
Tuesdays from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
July 6 to August 17, 2021
Designed for ages 3-6 but all ages welcome | Registration Required
Grab your stuffies and snuggle in for stories, songs and rhymes. Presented by Judy. Email her at jmillard@orl.bc.ca for more information.
Join our Summer Reading Challenge: I Spy a Book! for little ones, aged newborn to 5 years.
Registration begins on June 14.
Visit webpage for more info: https://www.orl.bc.ca/kids-teens/babies-toddlers/summer-family-challenge
Summer Reading Club is for kids ages 5 to 12.
Visit webpage for more info: https://www.orl.bc.ca/kids-teens/kids/summer-reading-club
Summer Teen Challenge
Our Summer Teen Challenge dares youth to read, be creative, to write and more!
Visit webpage for more info: https://www.orl.bc.ca/kids-teens/teens/summer-teen-challenge
We are currently not offering in-branch programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead we are offering online programming via Teams. Call us at 250-762-2800 or view our events calendar to register and receive the Teams login information for each event.
We've recently migrated from Zoom to Teams. Visit our Teams introduction document to learn how it works.
Jump to:
Special Events
Book Clubs & Literary Events
Culture
Technology Training
Genealogy
Games Nights
MakerSpace
Get reward for doing what you love! Every time to read or complete one of our challenges, you can enter draws to win sweet swag. Visit our Adult Summer Reading Club page for more details!
Mondays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Upcycling is the practice of turning something old into something new! Join us for a chill evening of creative crafts. We'll be cutting and tearing apart clothing and books so make sure to use ones you don't care about wrecking! Below are the crafts we'll be exploring and the materials required:
Read a Book, Win a Book
Get rewarded for your input! Come by the upstairs information desk and fill out two forms: one feedback form and one entry form. One lucky winner will get to choose from a selection of mystery book prize packages!
In this unprecedented time, we are going to continue with the book club virtually.
Please email Jen at jenniferwhite@orl.bc.ca if you would like to participate, or if you have any questions.
Happy Reading!
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.
Mondays from 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Whether camping, driving or at a beach, you can access the library anywhere through your mobile device. Join us to learn how to download books, read newspapers and watch movies on you smart phone or tablet. We'll guide you through installation, registration and usage of the library's most popular digital services. Register to receive login information for the virtual meeting. July 12: eBooks and Magazines July 19: Newspapers and International Periodicals July 26: Movies
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.
Please note: Family History Forums is on hiatus until September.
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!
All bookable spaces are currently unavailable due to COVID-19.
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.
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 10-12 people, and can be booked up to 2 months in advance.
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.
In-branch seating is currently limited
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 recommended.
Please note that microfilm reader is currently out of order. Requests will not be fulfilled in a timely manner.
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.
We are once again offering 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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