Thanksgiving Day Closure: All library locations will be closed on Monday, October 9. Regular hours resume Tuesday, October 10.
Book Returns are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, excluding the Easter and Christmas closures.
The Vernon library is a community hub featuring large collections of materials to borrow, terrific programming, a Makerspace and an early years play area. Please note that we are a lively library, and if you are looking for a very quiet place to study we recommend bringing headphones or earplugs.
We are open Sundays for the winter, noon - 4 pm.
Call us at 250-542-7610 during open hours. For eBook, resource or reference help you can also email help@orl.bc.ca.
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.
Thank you to the Vernon Friends of the Library, CUPE 5523 and the Vernon chapter of Canadian Parents for French for their generous donations that helped make our Summer Reading Club a success!
Picture books, rhymes, songs and felt stories. Aimed at ages 3-5 but all ages are welcome.
September 7th - December 16th
Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays | 10:30 AM - 11 AM | Children's Area
Interactive songs and rhymes for babies and caregivers.
Tuesdays | 10:30 AM - 11 AM | Meeting Room
Through picture books, interactive songs and rhymes, multicultural story time will highlight a particular culture or language. In partnership with the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society.
Fridays | 10:30 AM - 11 AM | Meeting Room
Slightly spooky stories told in a variety of formats. Prepare to laugh at Halloween silliness.
Tuesday, October 24 | 3:30 PM - 4 PM | Meeting Room
Holiday stories told in a variety of formats. Christmas themed laughs for young children.
Tuesday, December 19 | 10:30 AM - 11 AM | Meeting Room
Contact Val (vknudson@orl.bc.ca) to book a field trip to the library or visit at your daycare.
Dive into the basics of the tech world with us! Learn about coding, engineering, 3D design, physics, circuitry and more with hands on projects.
Registration required.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Community Room
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Community Room
Dive into the world of Earth Sciences and blast off to the cosmos! Budding scientists will learn beginner-friendly coding skills using the drag-and-drop block coding platform Scratch. Our journey will take us from space, to sea, to the Cretaceous period, where we'll dodge lava from exploding volcanoes. With a guest tutor from Digital Moment.
Weekly on Thursdays | 3:30 PM - 5 PM | Community Room
Pizza, art, games and more for LGBTQ2S+ youth and allies.
Wednesday, October 25 | 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, November 29 | 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, December 13 | 4 PM - 6:30 PM
Art for any skill level. Creative meet-up for youth.
Wednesday, October 18 | 4 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday, November 22 | 4 PM - 5 PM
Wednesday, December 6 | 4 PM - 5 PM
Contact sthoreson@orl.bc.ca if you are interested in scheduling an in person or virtual visit.
Please check our in-branch and online events in calendar format here.
All adult programs and events at the Vernon Library are FREE to the public.
If you have an idea you'd like to see happen @ your library, email us at vereference@orl.bc.ca.
Jump to:
Special Events | Book Clubs & Literary Events | Creative Circles |
Environmental Sustainability | Games | Health | Makerspace | Technology Training
Imagine a magical little space in the heart of the library, where mini artworks rule the day. It's a place where creativity knows no bounds, and where you can share your artistic genius with the world – one tiny canvas or sculpture at a time!
The FLAG will be brimming with tiny treasures contributed by fellow art enthusiasts. From intricate doodles to magnificent micro-paintings, you'll be amazed at the diverse collection on display. And here's the best part: You can swap your very own mini-masterpieces with any artwork that catches your eye.
The FLAG is open whenever the library is, so you can drop by any time you're feeling artsy. See you at the gallery, where mini art meets massive imagination!
The Okanagan Regional Library will be home to Vernon's Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) for 1 week from Oct 3rd to Oct 8th!
Your input matters!
Indigenous, Black and other People of Colour are invited share their thoughts on how government can better address systemic racism and help shape new anti-racism legislation. Sessions will focus on how the BC government can better support the people who are impacted, what areas should be prioritized, what kind of programs the government should support to prevent further community harm and much more.
Refreshments will be provided, and a $50 honorarium will be provided for participation. To ensure anonymity, no pre-registration is required.
For more information, please contact Amy Timleck at amy.timleck@vdicss.org.
Wednesday, October 4 | 4:30 PM - 6 PM | Meeting Room
The Vernon Library is honoured to present a reading with Ivan Coyote, award-winning author and LGBTQ2S+ advocate. Ivan’s warmth, wit, and wisdom leaves audiences laughing, crying, and contemplating life's complexities. Inclusivity and empathy inform their work, fostering understanding and compassion. This promises to be an evening that will touch your heart and stay with you long after the final word is spoken.
Register here for a seat - tickets are free!
Wednesday, October 4 | 7 PM - 8 PM | Meeting Room
Join us as representatives from KAIROS’ global women, peace and security partners share their experiences in helping women survivors of war and gender-based violence regain dignity and reclaim rights to become critical agents for peace and resiliency in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
Women of Courage is an initiative of KAIROS Canada, a non-profit ecumenical movement for ecological justice and human rights.
This special event is presented by KAIROS Vernon and the Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library.
Thursday, October 5 | 2 PM - 3:30 PM | Meeting Room
In our ever-growing Canada, most communities are undergoing social change as more and varied new Canadians arrive and become part of our cultural mosaic. This means recognizing the need for an on-going process of intercultural communication and understanding. Zibya (Zeeba) Ibragimova, originally from the central Asian country of Uzbekistan, will be offering an interactive workshop to develop those strengths.
This Cultural Awareness Workshop is in partnership with the Family Resource Centre.
Registration is required.
Saturday, October 21 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Meeting Room
Join us for an afternoon of demonstrations of sustainable and handmade holiday gifts. Get crafty with the kids and create memories! All ages are welcome for this free holiday event! If you would like to volunteer to share a craft with the community, please email vereference@orl.bc.ca.
Saturday, December 2 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Meeting Room
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.
3rd Saturday of each month | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Community Room
Oct. 21 - Less by Andrew Sean Greer
Who says you can't run away from your problems? You are a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the mail: your boyfriend of the past nine years is engaged to someone else. What do you do to escape the event?
Nov. 18 - The Milkman by Anna Burns
In this unnamed city, to be interesting is dangerous. Middle sister is busy attempting to keep her mother from discovering her nearly-boyfriend and to keep everyone in the dark about her encounter with Milkman. But first brother-in-law, has sniffed it out, and middle sister becomes 'interesting'. To be interesting is to be noticed and to be noticed is dangerous. Milkman is a searingly honest novel told in prose that is as precise and unsentimental as it is devastating and brutal.
If you have trouble with your vision and find it hard to read, or you just want to hear a great short story, visit our Adult Storytime, a free, drop-in program offered every two weeks and open to all adults.
Every Second Tuesday | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Okanagan Room
Come and join us and use art to explore the question of how art can contribute to peace. This free program is open to youth and adults and you are welcome to being a friend to connect to the circle. Art For Peace uses art to explore how it can contribute to peace in your own heart, your community and the world at large.
This program is free, open to all youths and adults, and art supplies are provided. You can also bring your own art supplies.
First Tuesday of each month | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Community Room
Connecting newcomers to Vernon through crafting. ESL students and newcomers, join us on Wednesday mornings to socialize and craft together. All skill levels are welcome. Knitting supplies are provided or bring your own project. This program is offered in partnership with the Vernon and District Immigrant Community Services Society.
Wednesdays | 10 AM - 12 PM | Community Room
The Kalamalka Weavers and Spinners guild is a group of fibre enthusiasts that are mainly focused on weaving and spinning, and the sharing and continuation of the skills of hand spinning and hand weaving as well as knitting, crochet, dying and felting. Anyone is welcome to attend this free, drop-in program.
3rd Wednesday of each month | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Meeting 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
Write here, write now. Come work on your short story, poetry, non-fiction piece, or future bestselling novel! Unleash your creativity in a supportive group setting, where you can write and discuss your work in progress. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary to participate.
2nd Saturday of each month | 2:30 PM - 4 PM | Okanagan Room
Vernon Grows, the Vernon branch's Seed Lending Library, is stocked with many of the seeds you need for your garden. Patrons are welcome to check out seeds free of charge to plant in the spring and early summer and are expected to replace these seeds in the fall from the plants they grow. Drop by the library check out our seed saving brochures to help you get started.
Upstairs on second floor
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 on Facebook.
Last Wednesday of each month | 7 PM - 8:45 PM | Meeting Room
Come play the game of kings! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to seasoned players.
Tuesdays | 6 PM - 8:45 PM | Community Room
If you love games, you'll love American Mah-Jongg. Experienced and novice players are all welcome - all equipment is supplied.
Thursdays | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Magazine Area
Join us to play Dungeons and Dragons, the greatest fantasy role-playing game in the world. Create characters, battle foes and co-operate with other players as you explore a fantasy world. Adventurers League is a drop-in, drop-out DnD format that allows players of all levels to come and play.
Materials are not required. All you need is an active imagination and the desire to work with others.
This is a free, drop-in program open to all players, from highly experienced to novice.
Saturdays | 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Community Room
Are you someone who wants to make your own healthcare decisions? How do you make sure this happens? This is called Advanced Care Planning and we want to help. Join us for an introduction and discussion about Advance Care Planning and its role in determining your health care.
This is a free, drop-in event, presented by North Okanagan Hospice Society.
Wednesday, October 11 | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Community Room
The CAYA Chatroom provides a welcoming space for alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) users to practice and socialize. For more information, please contact Michelle at 250-809-1098 or mbrar@cayabc.org
Last Tuesday of each month | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Meeting Room
This is a free six-week health program coordinated by the University of Victoria for adults of all ages to manage chronic pain. Participants will receive a book which accompanies the program, including the Moving Easy Program CD of easy-to-follow exercises that can be done at home.
Participants can register online at https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/workshop?id=21924, by calling 1-866-902-3767, or by emailing Christine Bramwell at bramwell@uvic.ca.
Thursdays | September 14 to October 19 | 5:34 PM - 8:30 PM | Community Room
Join us for these free drop-in information and support meetings where we will discuss ways to manage our health in a better way, learn from those who truly understand and from professionals who can help teach us new ways to have a successful life despite chronic health issues. This program is provided by John Rudy Health Resource Centre and TLC Pain Management - Vernon.
4th Wednesday of each month | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | Community Room
Substance Use First Aid is a presentation that addresses different categories of substances, including the effects and risks, and how to support someone under the influence. An overview of the continuum of care is also part of the presentation and includes information on Harm Reduction services, ranging from medication and counselling to Save a Life- Naloxone Training to reverse 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.
First Wednesday of each month | 7 PM - 8 PM | Meeting Room
The North Okanagan Better Breathers program is a monthly education and support group for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other lung health conditions. This free program is delivered by Interior Health.
Second Monday of each month | 1 PM - 3 PM | Meeting Room
A Low Vision Therapist with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is available to provide Low Vision Assessments and follow-up appointments to clients in the Vernon and nearby vicinity area. Individual appointments are approximately 1hr long and clients are welcome to bring family members with them. For more information, please visit Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.
To book an appointment at the Vernon Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library, please contact Kamyar at 250-863-4753 or Kamyar.Mohamadi@vlrehab.ca.
October 10, 11, 12 | 10 AM - 3:30 PM | Okanagan Room
November 14, 15, 16 | 10 AM - 3:30 PM | Okanagan Room
December 11, 12, 13 | 10 AM - 3:30 PM | Okanagan Room
Generously funded by the Vernon Friends of the Library
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 stations, full Adobe Creative Cloud, recording studio and more!
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.
To use an ORL Makerspace independently, all makers must:
To use the Cricut Machine you must:
To use the Prusa 3D Printer you must:
If you are trying to book a space less than 24 hours ahead of time, you need to call the branch at 250-542-7610.
Makerspace Booking
Monday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
If you're part of a group of 2 or more people interested in using the library makerspace equipment, whether it's for certification-only equipment like the 3D printer, of for other equipment like the recording studio, we'd love to set you up a free group training session. Email Cody at cepema@orl.bc.ca for more information and to book a time. Class visits are welcome.
View our certification courses and tutorials
Are you curious about Makerspaces and afraid to ask how to use the equipment? Want to learn how to record your own audio, print a 3D object, digitize your old photos or create your own stickers? Want to draw, edit and record your own animated film? Or have a family outing with cool technological gadgets and hands-on fun? We've got the gear. Come on down for our Messy Maker open house! We'll show you what we've got and get you started on how to use it.
Makers under 18 must have a parent sign their Makerspace agreement and waiver, and Makers under 14 need a certified Maker to use the space with them.
Saturday, December 16 | 2:30 PM - 4 PM | Meeting Room
Stop by, relax, and use our 3D pens to build up your own doo-dads, gee-gaws, and curios!
Saturday, November 18 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Meeting Room
This program offers adult patrons one-on-one tutoring by volunteers with The Literacy Society of the North Okanagan. One hour appointments can be booked at 250-542-7610 Ext. 6820, in person at the library, or online at the Digital Literacy Program.
One hour appointments at the library are offered Saturdays at 10 am and 11 am. Other days and times are available at The Literacy Society of the North Okanagan's office.
Curious about eBooks, digital audio, or any of the ORL's many electronic resources? Having trouble making Libby work on your device? Book a time with one of our knowledgeable staff. Please bring in your device, library card and PIN number, and any necessary passwords. Register using our online events calendar or call us at 250-542-7610 ext. 6820.
Tuesdays at 7:15 pm, Thursdays at 1:15 pm and Saturdays at 2:15 pm
This 90 minute one-on-one appointment with our technical staff will help get you started using the equipment in our Makerspace.
Materials for training will be supplied where relevant (subject to availability,) although some equipment requires removable storage devices like a USB stick, portable hard drive, etc. to save your work.
Note that in Vernon, currently only two pieces of equipment require certification before use:
The rest of the makerspace equipment (including the Recording Studio) can be used without certification, after a brief orientation the first time you use them.
Please note that if you're looking for help with the Recording Studio, you need to make an additional reservation alongside this one- please see https://orl.evanced.info/spaces/Patron/Results to reserve the Recording Studio for the same time.
Please review our Makerspace Guidelines for more details about our policies.
Get maker certified runs on alternating Fridays and Saturdays. See our calendar for more information.
We have a variety of bookable and rental spaces in the Vernon Library.
There are two rentable spaces available at the Vernon branch (the Meeting Room and the Community Room). Both rentable spaces have free Wi-Fi, projectors and screens.
We also have two free bookable spaces available (the Okanagan Room and the Study Room). They do not have projectors or screens and are much smaller.
Please call the library at 250-542-7610 ext. 6811 with any questions or book the space using our online reservation system. If you would like to book for today or tomorrow, you need to call the library directly to the book the spaces.
Reserve a 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.
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 100 people. There is an outside entrance on 28th Street with an accessible ramp and entry from our main foyer.
Community Room
This space is located on the second floor of the library and can hold up to 40 people. It has a long glass wall that looks out over our computer area.
Okanagan Room - no charge
Available during branch open hours only. Rooms are as is - no office supplies, A/V equipment or additional furnishings provided.
The Okanagan room is free, holds up to 18 people, and can be booked up to 2 months in advance.
Study Room - no charge
The study room is free, holds up to 6 people, and can be booked up to 2 months in advance.
The Vernon branch's seed lending library is open 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.
We are offering sit down eBook sessions in branch at the following times: Tuesdays at 7:15 pm, Thursdays at 1:00 pm & Saturdays at 2:00 pm.
Call 250-542-7610 ext. 6820 to book a spot or email us at vereference@orl.bc.ca.
Check here to see if your eReader or Tablet is compatible with the library's eBook provider.
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.
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 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.
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