Canada Day: ORL locations will be closed on Friday, July 1, for Canada Day. Regular hours resume on Saturday, July 2.
View our guidelines for visiting the library.
All ORL Branches are closed on statutory holidays.
Have a question? Call us at 250-832-6161 during open hours. For eBook, resource or reference help, please email help@orl.bc.ca or call 1-844-649-8127.
The library has two book return bins - one behind the library, next to the Canadian Tire loading dock and one inside the mall next to the library entrance and open during mall hours. Book drops are locked during extended closures (Easter and Christmas).
Free parking is available in the Piccadilly Mall parking lot.
To find and register for any of our programs, please see the Salmon Arm Branch Calendar of Events or browse the tabs below:
Summer Reading Club runs from June 18 - September 9. The purpose of this club is to keep kids and teens reading and learning through out the summer. We hope to help students maintain their reading level and keep their minds sharp so they are ready to learn again when school starts up in the fall.
Registration opens Monday, June 13. You register by going to the library and picking up a Reading Log or Challenge Tracker.
Are you interested in Viking Culture? Do you enjoy creating things with wool? Then learn how to create like a Viking!
Go to our ORL Events Calendar to see all summer programs.
It is back! This drop-in program will run from June 29 - August 10 on Wednesdays at 10AM.
These are the parks we'll be at:
June 29- McGuire Lake
July 6- Haney Heritage
July 10- Fletcher
July 20- Salmon Arm West Elementary
July 27- Klahani
August 3- Kin
August 10- Blackburn
This is a partnership with Shuswap Children’s Association
Saturday, July 2 & Saturday, August 6
10:00AM
For Families/ Drop-in
This is a partnership with the Downtown Salmon Arm Association
A partnership with St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Volunteers
Saturdays from July 9 – 30.
10:15AM-11:15AM
All Ages/ Registration Required
Do you love dogs? Then register for a 15-minute session to read with a certified therapy dog. You may sign up for a one-on-one session or as a family group. Bring your own book, or borrow one from our collection. Rolo, our volunteer therapy dog, loves snuggles and stories.
Go to our Salmon Arm Events Calendar to register.
This program is at the Salmon Arm library. Masks are welcome.
Tuesday, July 5
2:00PM
School Age/ Registration Required
Helen will share Okanagan stories that have been handed down for generations. She will also share contemporary stories by Indigenous authors that reflect Indigenous lifestyle. The stories will vary in length and include an art activity. This will help children remember the story so that they may share it with their families.
Thursday, July 7 & Thursday, August 4
11:00AM-11:30AM
A short story or excerpt from a novel will be read out loud. We will talk about the story as a group while enjoying yummy snacks.
Tuesday, July 12
4:30PM-5:30PM
Ages 8+/ Registration Required
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. In this online workshop, Eiko will teach us how to make some cool origami shapes. Participants will need to provide their own paper.
Wednesday, July 13
3:00PM -4:00PM
Join this year’s BC SRC artist, Elaine Chen, for a one hour online drawing workshop where the kids will be prompted to work together to create a world, where perhaps a little magic can happen!
Tuesday, July 19
4:30PM -5:30PM
Ages 8+/ Registration Requried
In this online program, Eiko Uehara will teach us the ancient art form of Japanese Calligraphy.
Participants will need to provide their own paints and paper.
Thursday, July 21
11:00AM-12:00PM
Ages 9-12/ Registration Required
This painting tutorial will take you through step-by-step instructions on how to paint a beautiful, vibrant rainbow tree and swing.
Wednesday, July 27
This online program is presented by Kelowna Museums.
Did you know that the Okanagan is the most biodiverse region in all of Canada? Why is that? We’ll look at some cool animals, bugs, and the syilx perspective of their land and what we can learn about land stewardship.
July 28 and August 11
School Age/ Drop-in
Come explore our collection of fun STEAM toys!
Tuesday, August 2
Ages 5-8/ Registration Required
Explore your inner artist! Each child will get some paint, a small canvas and the freedom to paint what ever they want.
Tuesday, August 9
11:00-11:30
Come learn the basics of juggling. Hilarity and chaos guaranteed! This class is for beginners.
August 23 - September 3
School Age & Families
Registration Required.
Register on your own or as a group to receive 2 Online Escape Room links. Once you have the links, you can do the escape rooms any time you want.
Go to our Events Calendar to see the full list of online activities, details and dates.
Stories, songs, dancing, puppets and lots of fun and laughter for all ages and stages.
Family Story Time at the Library is over until September.
More information to come.
Songs and Rhymes
Oral Stories
Grab your stuffies and snuggle in for stories, songs and rhymes.
This online Pyjama Story Time will be brought to you through TEAMS. Registration is required.
Picture books by and about Indigenous people. Celebrating Indigenous heritage for National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Pictures from past programs, Summer Reading Club events, and library updates can be found at our Salmon Arm Kids in the Library blog at https://salibrarykids.wordpress.com/
This blog is not frequently updated.
All programs and events at the Salmon Arm Library are FREE to the public. Please take careful note of registration requirements. For more information about our programs, please call 250-832-6161 or email sareference@orl.bc.ca
Do you have an idea for a library program that you'd like to attend or host? We'd love to hear your suggestions! Please speak with the Branch Head Librarian or contact ksmith@orl.bc.ca with your suggestions!
Please check out the ORL Events Calendar to see a complete list of our ONLINE events for kids, teens and adults.
Saturday, May 14 | 10:00 - 3:00
Do you have extra potted plants, seedlings, seeds, or cuttings that you would like to re-home? Drop off your labelled items at the Salmon Arm branch and swap for new green goodies!
June 13-September 3
It’s back and our theme this year is “All Together Now!” Watch this page for more information on this summer's set of badges, activities, and books to keep you reading, connecting, and learning all summer long.
It's time for the Friends of the Library Book Sale! Join us at Piccadilly Mall to browse some great books and support the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap Branches.
Can you create an intriguing story in 500 or fewer characters? If so, enter our Tiny Story Contest! Deadline for entries is March 1st.
Contest Rules: 1) Use 500 or fewer characters (including spaces and punctuation) 2) Up to 3 entries per author 3) Follow the contest guidelines
Winner selected by guest judges. People’s Choice winner selected by public voting at the Salmon Arm library. Entries may be used by ORL on social media, library displays, and website.
Psst – for reference, the above contest description is under 500 characters!
Go to our Salmon Arm Events Calendar for full details on how to participate and submit your entry.
Explore your creative and crafty side with a craft kit-to-go from the library! Different skills and themes await! While supplies last. One kit per adult.
February 1: Needle-Felted Heart Ornament
April 1: Embroidered Necklace Pendant
October 1: Recycled Book Pumpkin Decoration
November 1: Mini Macramé Ornament
Monday, February 28 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
How do you want to feel? What do you want to accomplish? Putting your goals on paper helps you to achieve them. Join us for a 3 hour Vision Board Workshop at the Salmon Arm Library to inspire you in ’22. All materials will be provided, but participants may bring images from home or favorite magazines to cut up as well. Registration required.
2nd and 4th Mondays | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to research your family tree? Have you hit a brick wall in your research? Join our friendly group of genealogists at the library to share ideas, learn new tips and tricks, and solve research roadblocks. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned family historian, we will help you get started with your research. Bring your own computer, or bring a USB drive and use one of ours. We meet every second and fourth Monday at 10:30 am. Drop in, no registration required.
Tuesdays | 10:30 am -11:30 am (Dates TBA)
Join us at the Salmon Arm Library for free one-on-one tutoring sessions for seniors who have never used computers or have a very basic knowledge of computers. Decide what devices, programs and skills you want to work on. To register as a learner or tutor, contact Sierre Allison at info@shuswapliteracy.ca or 250-463-4555. This is a LASS (Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society) initiative.
Tuesdays | 1:30-3:30 pm
Drop by and visit with Carly at the Salmon Arm Library! As the Homeless Outreach Coordinator for CMHA, Carly supports folks in:
Tuesdays | 5:00-7:45 pm
Join our friendly group of players every Tuesday night at the Salmon Arm Library. Solve puzzles, combat beasts and create your own adventure! All tabletop games are welcome! Drop-in, no registration required.
1st Thursdays | 1:30-3:30 pm
The Legal Advocacy program provides free confidential information, advice and assistance in areas of poverty law such as: residential tenancy disputes; income assistance; provincial and federal benefits programs; employment standards; and consumer and debt problems. Drop-in any time between 1:30-3:30 pm with your questions!
Thursdays | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (Dates TBA)
Thursdays | 2:00-3:00 pm (Dates TBA)
Thursdays | 12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Welcome to Classics Weekly, a virtual book club where we tackle a classic novel together and meet online every Thursday to discuss what we’ve read. Participants are responsible for finding their own copy of the book. Titles are available in a variety of formats from the ORL catalogue.
Online registration required. Registration closes one week prior to the first session.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck - January 20 - March 10
East of Eden is a powerful and vastly ambitious novel that is at once a family saga and a modern retelling of the Book of Genesis. Explore Steinbeck's masterpiece each week with the group over 8 sessions.
Inferno by Dante Alighieri -March 17 - May 19
Dante’s Inferno is the first part of his three-part epic poem The Divine Comedy written in the 14th century and considered one of the world’s great works of literature. This is Dante’s journey through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the poet Virgil.
Fall book selection TBA - September 8
Friday, January 28 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Upcycle old book pages, cards, and paper bags into beautiful handmade journals, using the Japanese Stab-Binding technique. Registration required.
Fridays | 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join the Odd Socks knitting group every Friday afternoon. New members and all capabilities are welcome! Drop in, no registration required.
Saturdays | 10:15-11:15am
Registration is required. Go to our Salmon Arm Events Calendar to register.
This program is at the Salmon Arm library. Masks must be worn for those age 5 and up. Proof of vaccination required for ages 12 and up.
Need assistance? We can draw upon our Reference collection, which includes many print and digital resources, such as vehicle repair manuals, legal reference works, and directories.
Looking for some inspiration on what to read next? Ask our staff for suggestions on good books or authors to read, movies or TV series to watch, or music to listen to. If you’re browsing in the library, we also have displays on various topics.
We display art work from local artists and artist groups in the community. Please contact the Branch Services Supervisor if you are interested in displaying your work in the library: khelta@orl.bc.ca
If you need assistance downloading eBooks and other digital content to your tablet or eReader, we can help! Click here for more information about our digital resources, such as eBooks, or magazines you can download to your tablet for free!
We have 7 Internet stations you can use for free; you just need an ORL library card to log on the computers. We also have a printer (25 cents/page, black and white copies).Our computers have Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), as well as Google Earth, and access to subscription services such as Ancestry, Alldata (vehicle repair), BC Codes (BC Plumbing and Fire Codes), and Grant Connect (a fundraising/grants website).
Our photocopier does double-sided copying, as well as enlarging/reducing. Copies are 25 cents/page, and are black and white. You can also scan documents with our photocopier, and email as a PDF copy. Scanning is free, but you have to deposit a quarter to activate the menu. Staff are available if you need assistance.
As of January 2020, we are unable to provide invigilation services at the Salmon Arm Branch. Please contact your nearest branch to inquire about their exam policies. The Salmon Arm Okanagan College campus (250-832-2126) offers invigilation services at a fee.
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. To book a free tour for kids call Ardie Burnham at 250-832-6161 ext. 5828 or email her at aburnham@orl.bc.ca
Meetings are held in February, April (AGM), June, September and November of each year. The next FOL meeting will be September 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the Piccadilly Mall boardroom.
Friends of the Library have recently helped fund:
Have you considered giving the gift of time by joining our Friends of the Library group? The Friends are actively looking for new members who would like to support the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap ORL Branches. If you love the library and would like to help, please contact trudy.vercholuk@gmail.com for more information.
It's time for the Friends of the Library Book Sale! Join us at Piccadilly Mall to browse some great books and support the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap branches.
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