While ORL locations may be closed until further notice, we are here for you online!
Have questions? Email us at help@orl.bc.ca or chat with library staff right from our website. Chat hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
All ORL Branches are closed on statutory holidays.
ALL BRANCHES OF THE ORL ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
ALL PROGRAMMING AT THE ORL, INCLUDING THE KELOWNA BRANCH, IS CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE TO HELP LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS.
Please visit our Emergency Information page for more information.
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).
You can now reserve a meeting room and MakerSpace equipment online at https://orl.evanced.info/spaces, at least two days in advance. Library staff will approve your booking based on availability. Rooms and equipment are only available during the Branch's open hours.
View events in calendar format.
For details or registration info, click on an event below.
The library chicks are set to hatch March 27/28. Come by before then to make name suggestions!
Winter Story Times run from January 6th - May 30th. Drop-in & Free.
The Reading Challenge runs from January 3-April 3
Free & Drop-in
Families, kids and teens are invited to play READING BINGO this winter!
Receive a draw entry for awesome PRIZES each time you finish a BINGO line.
2020 Reading Challenge Bingo cards available for pick up starting January 3.
Registration Required. Kids 6-12 years old, join us for fun with STEAM: Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math.
STEAM Sundays 12+ Editions - March 22 - Micro Robots (Ages 12-17)
We learn, develop and play together! Participate in engineering and coding activities that will build on each session. The Engineering Club will focus on robotics and circuitry. The Coding Club will focus on coding using Scratch.
Thursdays, twice monthly. Online registration required.
For more information or to register for those programs that require registration, please call 250-762-2800 or visit our events calendar.
Special Events
Book Clubs & Literary Events
Culture
Games Nights
Crafting Your Happiness
Language Learning
Technology Training
Genealogy
MakerSpace
Ages 14+ | Registration Required
Thursdays, once monthly 5:30 - 7:30
Want to learn how to design your own board games and print gaming pieces, characters, and accessories with a 3D Printer? At this workshop series you will learn the ins-and-outs of board game design with local board game designer Jonathan Thwaites from OOMM Board Games. You’ll then get instruction on how to design and print gaming pieces, characters, and accessories with the library’s 3D Printer. At the end of the session, participants with a library card will be able to receive certification to use the 3D Printer on their own.
Your children come home from school excited to talk about the coding activities they worked on today. You smile and nod your head, secretly realizing you don't have a clue what they are talking about. This workshop is designed for you. Come and explore the types of coding programs your children are using. These sessions will introduce you to block coding using Scratch; line coding using Arduino technologies; and finally coding Sphero robots, using block and line coding.
March 10 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
March 17 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
March 24 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Speaker Series
Second Thursday of the month | September through June | Main Floor Meeting Room Afternoon Club | 3:00 – 4:30 Evening Club | 7:00 – 8:30
Kelowna Branch is continuing our popular book club for adults. We invite you to read the suggested titles and join us once a 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.
March 12 | The Quintland Sisters
Every Tuesday | 1:00 to 2:30 pm | Main Floor Meeting Room
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.
Registration required, call 250-762-2800 to register.
Join our group of play lovers and read a play live. This casual program is not intended to act out the play, but to read it as a group and investigate this art form.
Wednesday | March 25 | 7:00 PM
Drop-in program, no registration required.
The Poetry Circle invites all poetry enthusiasts to a warm and welcoming environment that fosters the creative exchange of poetry among poets of all writing levels.
Activities include reading and discussing works by the great poets, as well as the sharing and appreciating of original poems. Come enjoy the works of others and grow as a poet.
Tuesday | March 03 | 6:00 PM Tuesday | March 17 | 6:00 PM
Kelowna’s aspiring writers meet to discuss process and share experiences with published writers. All are welcome.
Tuesday | March 3 | 6:00 PM
Saturdays | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Get together with local creators and talk comics! Check out the work of others and come prepared to give them feedback.
Adults | Drop in
Discover the beautiful world of social dance. Learn the basics with professional instructor(s) free at the library. Enjoy the music, improvisation and excitement of Brazilian Zouk. No special shoes, partners or previous experience required.
March 12 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Book a one hour, one-on-one appointment for device help.
No drop-ins. Call Kelowna Branch 250-762-2800 .
Want to get the most out of your smart devices? Bring your phone or tablet to Mobile Meet-Ups, a 3-class course that will improve your understanding of and confidence with your device.
Note: You will need your Apple ID or Google Play account login information.
Register online or call the Kelowna Branch, 250-762-2800.
Bring your own laptop, or use one of our teaching laptops.
Wednesdays | 10:30 am
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.
For internet newbies. A very basic introduction of what the internet is, and how to navigate it. Prerequisite: Computer Basics, or basic keyboard and mouse skills.
Come in to review what you have learned so far, practice and ask questions. Prerequisite: Computer Basics and Introduction to the Internet, or some basic computer and internet experience.
Delve deeper into what your computer can do.
Improve your skills for internet navigation.
TBA | Beyond the Basics – review Come in to review what you have learned so far, practice and ask questions. Prerequisite: Computer Beyond the Basics and Internet Beyond the Basics, or some computer and internet experience.
In partnership with Kelowna and District Genealogical Society, Kelowna Library hosts a variety of events, learning opportunities, and genealogical research assistance.
Drop-in programs, no registration required.
Thursdays | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm | KDGS Library, second floor
Are you building your family tree? Always wanted to but aren’t sure how to start? Come to the library on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, use the library edition of Ancestry – and get searching for your roots. Experienced users are on hand to help you get started. Bring your own computer, or bring an USB drive and use one of ours.
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.
Wednesdays | 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Thursdays | 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Saturdays | 1:00 - 3:00 pm (April - September)
Sundays | 1:00 - 3:00 pm (October - March)
Fourth Monday of the month | 7:00 - 8:30 pm
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!
Tuesdays | 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Join our great group of board gamers for our weekly board game night. Our friendly and welcoming group plays all kinds of games from light social games to in-depth strategy games. Euros, Cataan, FFG games, card games, you name it we play it. People are welcome to bring their own games as we're always looking to try new things. Our group is mostly adults but we almost always have some supervised kids come and they are welcome. We hope to see you there!
Come play the game of kings! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to seasoned players.
Wednesdays | 5:30 – 9:00 pm
Adventurers wanted! Young and old, seasoned veterans or those so green they don’t know the difference between a goblin and a kobold. If you have the nerve to stand in the face of evil and send it back to the pits from whence it came, Kelowna’s D&D Adventurers League needs you! Come play the 5th Edition of the classic Tabletop RPG “Dungeons & Dragons.” Fight monsters, solve puzzles and avoid death in the most dramatic fashion.
RSVP at meetup.com/OKTabletop
The Okanagan's #1 Source for Super Smash Bros! All skill levels welcome!
Thursday | March 12 | 5:00 PM Thursday | March 19 | 5:00 PM
Once a month there will be a registered event with an artful craft lead by an experienced artist or crafter.
TBA
Mondays | 5:00 - 7:00 pm
A Mandarin conversation drop-in session with Mandarin speaking tutors. All ages and levels are welcome.
Tuesdays | 7:00 - 9:00 pm
A drop-in English-Spanish language exchange. It is casual, all ages and levels are welcome.
Wednesdays | 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Small Meeting Room 2
A conversational English group for people with beginner to intermediate English language skills. Everyone welcome. Meet others, and improve your English with engaging conversation.
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!
Note: Those under 14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian maker. Contact or visit the Branch to learn more.
Adult/Youth | Drop-In
Drop in and try out a range of technologies at the Makerspace on a first come, first served basis on the last Wednesday of every month. Learn new skills or work on your project using our space and environment. We support 3D printing, vinyl cutting, audio recording, digitizing audio, video, photos, slides, and much more.
Note: Certification is required for certain equipment. Patrons may also use the equipment on a drop-in basis on Friday afternoons, if it has not been previously booked.
March 25 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Fridays | 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
All Ages | Drop-in
Drop in to the MakerSpace and explore how you can use it for your projects. Tours of the space will be available; simple maker activities for children; patrons with certification can book the equipment online and use it. Patrons may use equipment on a drop-in basis if it has not been previously booked.
Saturdays | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Adult | Registration Required
Get orientated to our MakerBot 3D printer. In this introduction, you will learn how to retrieve and prepare designs and successfully print objects. No previous experience required.
March 11 |6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Adults | Registration Required
TinkerCAD for beginners - Learn to create a 3D .STL file using Tinkercad.com. We will explore the tools and create a basic word model from Thingiverse in order to remix it. No 3D experience required, but basic computer knowledge is needed.
Some experience with 3D printing required.
March 4 |7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Learn how to use our digitization stations to make digital copies of your older media so that you can enjoy it on your computer, tablet or smart phone.
• Audio Digitization • Video Digitization • Photograph and Slide Digitization
March 18 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Learn how to use our Whisper Room to record your own unique story, musical composition, or podcast show.
March 18 | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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.
Click here for 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 three small meeting room available to book. These rooms are free, hold up to 10-12 people, and can be booked up to 4 months in advance.
Cannot be used for solicitation or selling of products or services, individuals cannot be charged to attend
One booking per day (max 4 hours) by person or group 3 bookings per week by person or group
There 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, refuse must be taken by the renter.
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.
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. 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 babes 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. PLEASE NOTE: There is presently no drop box available, but volunteers are on duty to review and accept items at this new location on Fridays, 9 am to 11:30 am.
Kelowna Friends' major fundraiser, the Great Okanagan Book Sale, takes place in November each year. For 2019, this will be held (Thursday-Saturday) on November 7-9th. 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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