View our guidelines for safely using your library during Step 3.
Book Returns are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, excluding the Easter and Christmas closures. The library will be closed December 24th - January 3rd. We will reopen on Tuesday January 4th.
Masks are required for all people ages 5 and up and must be worn for your entire visit, even while sitting.
Some in branch programming has returned with COVID safety protocols in place, including storytimes! Check out our virtual and in branch programming on our events calendar. Our Makerspace and Recording Studio are open and ready for use! Check out the details on booking them here.
Have a question? Call us at 250-542-7610 during open hours. For eBook, resource or reference help you can also email help@orl.bc.ca or call 1-844-649-8127.
There are three book drop bins located on the east side of the building. They are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, except during our Easter and Christmas closures. Our indoor book drops are now open for your convenience during library hours.
Have a question? If so, please contact our Youth Services Librarian, Stephanie Thoreson, at sthoreson@orl.bc.ca.
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30am
Children ages 5 and up must wear masks while visiting the library.
For your safety Story Time is now limited to 6 families (or social bubbles) of 4 people or less. If you have more than 3 children please book two spots so we can allow a safe distance for our other guests. Registration is required, but you can try to drop in. If there is space we can allow you to attend.
While we can not currently accommodate daycares at Family Story Time we welcome you to attend virtually or contact vknudson@orl.bc.ca about the possibility of a private presentation.
Online Family Story Times
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30am
Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Register for TEAMS links and passwords.
Read Woke Story Times
Families | Online Program | Registration Required
Mondays in Oct and Nov, 3:15pm - 3:45pm. Presented by Vernon Library.
Family story times that feature picture books by authors of colour and that celebrate diverse cultures. Each story time corresponds to the Read Woke reading lists, such as: Eastern Voices, Black Voices, Latinx Voices, Indigenous Voices, Women’s Voices, and Diverse Abilities.
Tough Topics Story Times
Select dates and times in Sept, Oct, and Nov. Presented by Vernon Library and the Family Navigator of BGC Okanagan.
Join a librarian and local community agencies such as Clinical Counselling Service, Vernon District Immigrant and Community Services Society, and BGC Okanagan Achiever’s Program to explore tough topics through picture books and discussion.
Topics: Parenting with Attachment, Feeling Like You Stand Out, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, and Serious Illness.
Contact sthoreson@orl.bc.ca if you are interested in a virtual visit or information.
Crafts and book related activities in a bag will be available to be picked up in the children's area every 2 weeks while supplies last.
Fall Challenge Tracker
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
In-branch programming is slowly returning! Please check our in-branch and online events in calendar format here. In-branch programs require that you wear a mask at all times.
All adult programs and events at the Vernon Library are FREE to the public. Please take careful note of registration requirements.
If you have an idea you'd like to see happen @ your library, email us at vereference@orl.bc.ca.
Want to find new reading material, hear about library stuff, and have a chuckle at the same time? Join us once a month as we talk genres and crack dorky jokes.
Listen online at: https://anchor.fm/orl-podcast or on Spotify
October 4, 2021 - April 1, 2022
Save A Life is a one-hour presentation on overdose prevention training and education delivered in partnership with Interior Health. Participants can expect to learn about overdose statistics in Vernon, the basics of psychoactive substances, overdose prevention strategies, how to recognize an overdose, Naloxone and how to administer it and how to respond to an opioid overdose.
Participants can also expect to leave with a free Naloxone kit. This is a free drop-in program open to adults and young adults alike. Masks are required and each participant will be seated at individual table that is socially distanced.
First Wednesday of each month | 5 PM - 6 PM | Meeting Room
Vernon Permaculture is an open community group whose aim is to share regenerative knowledge and hands on experiences with one another in order to build a stronger community and healthier local environment. Everyone is welcome to these drop-in sessions. For more information, visit @vernonpermaculture
Last Wednesday of each month | 7 PM - 9 PM | Community Room
The Vernon Knitters invite knitters of all experience levels and anyone interested in knitting, whether new or experienced. Bring along yarn and needles, and a project you are working on. You are also welcome to bring your knitting questions and problems, and someone in the group will happily help you work out a solution.
Saturdays | 10 AM - 12 PM | Community Room
The Vernon Reads Book Club is open to all interested adults. Engaging discussions are held monthly, January to November each year. Registration is required for each date HERE.
Individuals are responsible for acquiring a copy of each month's book. There are usually copies available at the Vernon Upstairs Desk (call 250-542-7610 ext. 6820 to check availability). Many titles are also available in eBook, eAudiobook, and audiobook formats in the ORL catalogue.
2022 Book Titles
3rd Saturday of each month | 2 PM - 3 PM | Community Room 4th Wednesday of each month | 7 PM - 8 PM | Virtual
Vernon branch's brand new makerspace is now open! Featuring equipment and tools for hands-on projects, digital media creation, and exploring and learning new technology. Our recording studio will not be available until early October due to COVID 19, but our Creation Stations, Cricut cutter and Digitization Stations are now available for use.
To use an ORL Makerspace independently, all makers must:
This space is primarily for users 14 and up. Users under 14 must be actively accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a certified Makerspace user. Users between 14 and 18 must have their legal guardian sign their Makerspace Agreement and Makerspace Waiver.
Generously funded by the Vernon Friends of the Library
Monday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
*our Technical Assistant is available for extra guidance during limited hours. Please email him at cepema@orl.bc.ca to book a time.
View our certification courses and tutorials
Preserve your memories by digitizing your old photos, slides, video tapes, mini-VHS tapes, vinyl records, and audio cassettes.
Explore Digitizing
Use our dedicated Microsoft Surface Pros for your digital media creations. Our creation stations offers Adobe Creative Suite software to support your projects from graphic design, photography, audio editing, to animation.
Explore Creation Stations
Use our Cricut Maker, a high tech and precise cutting, drawing, and scoring machine. It cuts a hundreds of materials quickly and accurately, from the most delicate paper and fabric to matboard and leather — and supports almost any DIY project. You must be Maker Certified to use the Cricut Maker - which you can do virtually from home or in branch on one of our internet terminals.
Explore Material Cutting
Record audio stories, podcasts, and music with our sound-protected recording studio. COVID 19 maximum occupancy is 2 people at a time in the studio. There are 2 vocal mics, 2 instrument mics, an electronic keyboard available for use. Please bring your instruments and a device to save your files on. Audacity, Reaper and MPC Beats are installed on the computer. The Recording Studio is self-serve. To learn more about the recording software, please visit LinkedIn Learning for tutorials.
Explore Audio Recording
There are several convenience gadgets available in the Makerspace as well:
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)
We have two rentable spaces currently available at the Vernon branch. All meeting spaces have free Wi-Fi, projectors and screens.
Please call the library at 250-542-7610 ext. 6811 with any questions or book the space using our online reservation system.
Reserve a Meeting Room Online
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.
Half Meeting Room
Available during branch open hours only. Setup and take-down (exception of A/V equipment) is the responsibility of the renter.
This space is located on the main floor of the library off of the foyer and can hold up to 25 people. There are no windows in this space.
Community Room
This space is located on the second floor of the library and can hold up to 20 people. It has a long glass wall that looks out over our computer area.
The Vernon branch's seed lending library is open once again and patrons can now check out seeds. Patrons can check out the seeds for free as long as they replace the seeds in the fall from the plants they grow.
Two step-by-step guides on how to save heirloom seeds are available at the library, to aid you if are unsure about the various steps you need to take to save specific seeds. Some are easy to save while others are less easy.
Any patron interested in contributing seeds to the library is asked to place seeds from each vegetable in its own envelope and label it with the type of vegetable, variety if known, date collected and general location. The seeds can be dropped off at the upstairs information desk at the library.
Call or email us for more details at pcritchley@orl.bc.ca or 250-542-7610 ext. 6831.
Due to COVID-19, we are not able to offer any sit down, in person eResource training until further notice.
We offer free one-on-one training sessions to help you learn to use our online digital resources including eBooks, PressReader, Flipster Digital Magazines, and LinkedIn Learning for Libraries.
Check here to see if your eReader or Tablet is compatible with the library's eBook provider.
Do you have questions about what the library can offer you? Call today to sign up! 250-542-7610.
Are you looking for somewhere to take an invigilated exam, either written or online? The library can help you out. For more information, please read the Vernon Branch's Exam Invigilation Information for Students.
Call or email us to book your exam invigilation at vereference@orl.bc.ca or 250-542-7610 ext. 6820.
The Vernon Branch has 17 internet terminals with word processing capabilities available for one hour per day with a valid ORL library card. Unlimited Wi-Fi access is available all day. Printing and photocopying is $0.25 per page, black and white only. Scanning to email is available and is free of charge.
We have multiple public computer stations that can be used to access the internet and write documents using Word. You can also print wirelessly from your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, using Princh. All print jobs are $.25 per page, in black and white.
Due to COVID-19, this room is not available until further notice.
The library has a beautiful boardroom that can be booked by groups or individuals for up to 2 hours at a time, free of charge. The room may be booked up to 24 hours in advance by calling 250-542-7610. It's a great space for tutoring, studying, meetings, scrap-booking and more!
The library has a small office available that can be booked by individuals for up to 2 hours at a time, free of charge. This space is great for tutoring, studying, and small meetings (4 people maximum). The room may be booked up to 24 hours in advance by calling 250-542-7610.
Due to COVID-19, this service is not available at the library until further notice.
The Vernon Branch has two meeting rooms available for rent during regular business days and hours. For further information, please contact the branch at 250-542-7610.
The first floor Meeting Room has a capacity of 100 participants and is equipped with tables, chairs, audio visual equipment, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Rental Fee:
Full Room/Capacity 100: $85 (3 hours) + GST = $89.25 (additional hours $10 ea. + GST)
Half Room/Capacity 50: $50 (3 hours) + GST = $52.50 (additional hours $10 ea. + GST)
Bookings are not confirmed until the rental fee has been paid.
The second floor Community Room has a capacity of 30 and is equipped with tables, chairs, audio visual equipment, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Rental Fee: $50 (3 hours) + GST = $52.50 (additional hours $10 ea. + GST)
A. Those chair were bought as part of the the new library and are called Bouloum Lounge chairs.
A. Most of the artwork should have information tags beside each piece. Our Friends of the Library co-ordinates the artwork in the library and the vast majority is displayed by the Vernon Art Gallery.
The VFOL Magazine Sale will happen at the library on Friday November 26th and Saturday November 27th, 10 am - 4 pm in our Community Room on the second floor.
The Vernon Friends of the Library, a non-profit organization formed in 1989, is registered under the Societies Act of British Columbia.
For all donations please call Trish at 250-938-2559. The library will no longer be accepting book donations at the branch. Magazines won't be accepted for donation.
The major fundraiser is the huge book sale held in early May every year.
Past contributions made by the Friends of the Library include:
The Friends also hold smaller book sales throughout the year, and provide book bags for purchase at the branch.
New members are always welcome. Anyone interested in more information can contact Linda Wills at 250-549-1466 or lwills41@telus.net or visit their Facebook page.
On Saturday October 2nd the VFOL will hold an outdoor book sale at 9908 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream. Check their FB page for all of the details.
Come on out for some great deals and support the library!
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