We have reopened as of Monday, January 16. We've made some changes during our revitalization period, with more to come in the next few weeks. Thanks for your patience, we look forward to welcoming you back! Find out more.
Renovation note: Work is still underway in a few areas, so please bear with us.
Okanagan Regional Library has partnered with the Okanagan Makers Society to bring you a month of exciting opportunities to learn, observe, explore and experiment with new technologies to help you design and make your world.
More details under the Youth and Adults event tabs below.
There are six book drop bins located on the west side of the building. They are locked only during extended library closures (Easter and Christmas).
View events in calendar format.
For details or registration info, click on an event below.
July 10 to August 18, Drop-in & Free
Mondays 10:15-10:45am + Wednesdays 11:00-11:30am
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:15-10:45am
Thursday + Friday 11:00-11:30am
Hiccuping Hippo Puppet Show
July 6, 7 + 8 11:00-11:30am Recommended for ages 3-6. Free tickets are required and are available at the Children's Information Desk starting Saturday, June 24.
For the month of June Okanagan Regional Library is partnering with Okanagan Makers Society to bring you Pop-Up Makerspace!
The main floor meeting room of the Kelowna Branch (on Ellis St.) will transformed into a dynamic Makerspace with tools and equipment including 3-D Printer, CNC Router, Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter. Members of the Okanagan Makers Society will be demonstrating some of their equipment, and running a variety of learning stations fun for kid and adults of all ages. There will be opportunities to learn from experts, watch demos, and plenty of ways to get your hands and minds engaged in the thrill of making.
Makerspace Saturdays June 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 11am to 4pm
Drop in for demonstrations, self-directed stations, and a variety of guided making opportunites run by library staff and Okanagan Maker Society members. Fun for all ages and abilities.
Weekly Open Hours The Pop-Up Makerspace will also be open for drop-in Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:00 to closing.
If you have a group that would like to book a tour or visit outside of these hours, please contact info@orl.bc.ca. We will do our best to accommodate requests as volunteers from the Maker Society are able.
Check our June Events Calendar (search Makerspace to find all events), Kelowna Libraries Facebook page, and this site for updates!
Join the club and pick up a Colouring Reading Log starting Saturday, June 24. All children who complete a Reading Log receive a book prize.
Join the club and pick up a Reading Log/Challenge Tracker and events calendar starting Saturday, June 24. Kids who complete a Reading Log receive a medal and book prize. Kids who complete a Challenge Tracker win prizes and receive draw tickets for the Grand Prizes.
There are 25+ FREE programs for kids 6-12 happening this summer! Check our online calendar for details and registration.
Join the club and pick up a Teen Challenge Tracker starting Saturday, June 24. Teens who complete a Challenge Tracker win prizes and receive draw tickets for the Grand Prizes.
Kelowna Branch offers several kinds of technology classes, being taught in one of our brand new classrooms!
Call to register (250-762-2800), or register online through our events calendar.
Computer Classroom is our introductory computer series. There are two levels of classes, and you can take one, two or all three subjects. If you have your own laptop, please bring it along. If not, don't worry, we have teaching laptops you can use. Classes are taught using Windows 10.
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30 am. Call to register (250-762-2800), or register online through our events calendar.
Begin at the beginning. We cover how to turn the computer on and off, basic navigation in Windows 10, and introduce using the keyboard and mouse. Single class. Dates: TBA
Single class. Dates: TBA
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Delve deeper into what your computer can do. Single class.Dates: TBA
Improve your skills for internet navigation. Single class. Dates: TBA
Get a handle on your inbox, learn to create folders, and how to manage your e-mail. Single class. Dates: TBA
Mobile Meetups is a series of 3 lessons to help you learn to navigate your tablet or smartphone. Topics include learning about the buttons on your device, learning how to use the touch screen, delving into device settings, and learning about how to download and manage apps. Classes are divided into iOS and Android groups. Please bring your device and any login information you need.
Tuesdays 2:30 pm (3 class series) May 2, 9 and 16
Thursdays 2:30 pm (3 class series) May 4, 11 and 18
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the Meeting Room
This new program is a conversational English group for people with beginner to intermediate English skills. We discuss topics that unite and inspire us plus we have fun and form a community of friends. No registration required. If you have questions, contact kelownaenglishcorner@gmail.com.
Tuesdays 7 - 9 pm
A drop-in English-Spanish language exchange.
Casual, all ages and levels are welcome.
Second Thursday of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the Meeting Room.
Kelowna Branch is continuing our popular book club for adults. We invite you to read the suggested titles and come to the library at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of each month for a lively, facilitated discussion of the featured title.
The book club is open to all interested adults, and pre-registration is not required.
Please note: The January Book Club has been postponed to January 19.
January 19 Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese February 9 Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel March 9 Round House by Louise Erdrich *April 6 419 by Will Ferguson (new date for April) May 11 Mountain Story by Lori Lansens June 8 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
We've added a new time for our Adult Book Club. Same great books in the afternoon, 3:00 - 4:30)
May 11 Mountain Story by Lori Lansens June 8 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Tuesdays, 1:00 to 2:30 pm in the Meeting Room. First meeting of 2017 will be Tuesday January 18.
Registration required - Call 250-762-2800 to register.
An all-inclusive book club, welcoming everyone regardless of reading ability and encouraging adults with diverse abilities to take part in discussions about new as well as classic titles. Books will be read together in a group setting with all participants invited to read aloud. Assistance with echo reading will be provided for those who wish to use it.
Current Book: First Test - Book 1 of the Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce
Come to the Library to chat with genealogists from the Kelowna and District Genealogical Society. Learn how to find more on your family tree, or ask about your next steps if you've hit a wall in your research.
Hours are:
Tuesdays: 1-3 pm
Wednesdays: 1-3 pm
Thursdays: 5-7 pm
Saturdays 1-3pm (April - September)
Sundays: 1-3pm (October - March)
Watch a video about this service.
Family History Forums are hosted by the Kelowna & District Genealogical Society and the Okanagan Regional Library.
They are free to everyone with an interest in tracing their Family History!
Where: Main Floor Meeting Room, Downtown Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
When: Fourth Monday of each month (except Sep., Dec., Jul. & Aug.), 7:00 - 8:30 pm.
Bring out Your Brickwalls! Share your most puzzling genealogical problems with us and we will help you to tackle those brickwalls.
February 27 Genealogy in Ontario Many of our Canadian Ancestors have connections to Ontario. Discover some of the great records available for Ontario research and how to access them.
March 27 DNA – an Exciting Tool for Genealogists Discussion of types of DNA tests, testing companies and how they can be useful for genealogy.
April 24 Genealogy in BC An overview of the many great records available for our BC Ancestors: vital events, census, newspapers, directories, images and more.
May 29 Fleshing out Your Ancestors Using Census Records and other Lists Census records provide a snapshot of your family on a given day in history. Typically censuses were taken every ten years; fill in the years between with voter’s lists and directories to build a cohesive picture of your ancestors’ lives.
June 26 Researching English Ancestors Discussion of the three major record groups for English genealogy plus some valuable lesser-used records and how to access them.
Every Tuesday from 5:00 pm in the Meeting Room.
No registration required.
Attention board gamers! Join us for our Board Games in the Meeting Room off the lobby. A veteran gamer and librarian will be on-hand to moderate and to play. Bring your games, bring your friends or come alone and meet other gamers. Feel free to bring snacks.
We have a variety of bookable and rental spaces in the Kelowna Library. All meeting spaces have free wifi. Some have presentation equipment available.
Please download and read Kelowna Library Rental Spaces Information Document for complete information, or call the library, 250-762-2800 with any questions.
Small Meeting Rooms Available during branch open hours only.
We currently have one small meeting room available to book, with two more scheduled to open soon. These rooms are free, hold up to 10 people, and can be booked up to 3 months in advance.
Classrooms Available during branch open hours only. There are two classrooms available for rent on the second floor. They can be rented individually, or together to form one large meeting space. The classrooms have glass walls which can be opened or closed to change the configuration of the space.
Classroom 1 Capacity: 55 Technology: Ceiling Mounted Projector and Screen / Sound Rates: $50 base rate (2 hours), $25 per additional hour, $150 per day (>6 to 8 hours). Hourly rate for hours more than 8.
Classroom 2 Capacity: 40 Technology: HDMI portable TV screen available on request Rates: $40 base rate (2 hours), $20 per additional hour, $125 per day(>6 to 8 hours). Hourly rate for hours more than 8.
Main Floor Meeting Room Available from 8am to 1 hour after the library closes. Contact staff for details on before/after hours use. Whole Meeting Room Capacity: 100 Technology: Ceiling Mounted Projector and Screen / Sound Rates: $80 base rate (2 hours), $40 per additional hour, $250 per day (>6 to 8 hours). Hourly rate for hours more than 8.
Half Meeting Room Capacity: 40 Technology: Ceiling Mounted Projector and Screen / Sound Rates: $40 base rate (2 hours), $20 per additional hour, $125 per day (>6 to 8 hours). Hourly rate for hours more than 8.
Great Room The library features a large event space on the second floor comprising the two classrooms and the additional reading lounge. 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.
Capacity: 300 Technology: Ceiling Mounted Projector and Screen / Sound Rates: $300 base rate (4 hours), $50 per additional hour, $550 per day (>6 to 8 hours). Hourly rate for hours more than 8.
Please contact the branch at 250-762-2800 for further information or to book a room.
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 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. All persons interested in libraries can obtain a membership for $5.00 per year at the Kelowna, Mission or Rutland branch libraries.
For membership and donation information, please visit www.kelownafol.ca, or contact the Friends at fol4k@hotmail.com.
The major fundraiser, the Great Okanagan Book Sale, takes place in October each year. The Kelowna Friends of the Library sponsor an endowment fund with the Central Okanagan Foundation and they also host various public meetings and author events throughout the year.
Directors of Kelowna Friends of the Library hold meetings in the Kelowna Branch, at 5:30 pm on the second Monday of each month. No board meetings are held in July & August.
For further information, please email fol4k@hotmail.com.
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