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:
Calling all future fossil hunters! Come see James Murray's collection of fossils*, hear his stories, and learn cool fossil hunting tips.
Story Times
Stories, songs, dancing, puppets and lots of fun and laughter for all ages and stages!
Fridays Apr 14 - Jun 30 | 10:15 - 10:45 am
Join us for an interactive program full of songs, rhymes, tickles, books, and more! Babytime is an wonderful way to bond with your baby, to meet other parents and caregivers, and to develop early literacy and speech skills.
Recommended for newborns to approximately 18 months. Siblings welcome!
Spring Schedule:
Thursdays April 13 - May 25 | 10:30 am
Saturdays April 15 - May 27 | 3:30 - 4:00 pm
Drop-in!
Story Time celebrates the joys of language and story through the use of music, puppets, picture books, storytelling, and more! Story Time programs are fun! They build social skills, simulate the imagination, and strengthen language, listening and visual skills.
Thursday and Saturday Story Time will start up again in the fall.
Have a great summer!
Tuesdays April 11 - June 13 | 6:30 pm
Grab your stuffies and snuggle in for stories, songs and rhymes online!
This online Pyjama Story Time will be brought to you through TEAMS. Registration is required.
A partnership with St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog Volunteers
A special Therapy Dog session will be on Thursday, March 23 from 1 pm - 2 pm! No registration necessary.
Saturdays Jan 21 - Dec 16 | 10:15 am - 11:15 am
Families | Registration Required for one-on-one time, or Drop-in to say hi.
Do you want to hang out with the sweetest dog ever? Register for a 15-minute session with Rolo, a certified St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog, or just drop in for a quick hello.
Wednesday, June 28 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Drop-in to the library for some building fun at this block party! LEGO® , Keva Planks and more will be available. Connect with other kids and break out the bricks for a building bonanza at the library.
Wednesday, May 31 | 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Enjoy snacks and doodling on colouring pages while you listen to a story! Bring a pillow/blanket to snuggle on if you wish.
April and May stories will be announced at a later date.
STEAM Adventures will return in October.
School Age | Drop-in
Come to our TAG meetings and see how you can help make the library a welcoming and exciting place for all teens in Salmon Arm.
We'll try to run this program again in the fall.
Calling all witches and wizards! Don your robes and bring your wands to solve a magical mystery at Toadwarts. Costumes encouraged, but not required.
Family | Registration Required
Weekly on Wednesdays | July 5 to July 26
3:30 PM PST - 4:15 PM PST
Come sing in our Library Children's Choir! You can join at any time. A responsible adult must stay with children ages 9 and under.
Adults are welcome to sing with us, too! Our concert will be in the library at 3:45 PM on Wednesday, July 26.
Registration is required to get a music folder. (You only have to register once.)
Weekly on Saturdays | July 8 to August 26
10:15 AM PST - 11:15 AM PST
Do you want to hang out with the sweetest dog ever? Come meet Rolo at the Salmon Arm library. Rolo is a miniature poodle and a certified St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog. He loves to be read to, petted and talked to. Rachel, his human, is also there to answer questions you may have about Rolo, therapy dogs, and more.
You can sign up for one-on-one sessions or drop- in and see if Rolo and Rachel are free for a chat.
Family | Drop-In
Thursday | July 13 | 1:00 PM PST - 2:00 PM PST
Did you know that space and time are connected? Did you know they can be squeezed and stretched? Did you know they are not the same for everyone? What happens to space and time around a black hole? What would happen if you fell into a black hole? Is it possible to time travel? And, how many stars are there in the universe, anyway?
Discover answers to these questions in ‘A Journey Through Time...And Space!
Thursday | August 17 | 3:30 PM PST - 4:15 PM PST
In the “Journey Through Time!” Magic Show you’ll see Magician Leif David predict the future- a moment of magic becomes impossibly frozen in time, and messages from the past and future appear right before your eyes! This show is packed with audience participation, plus audience volunteers will join Leif David on stage to help him perform the magic for everyone!
Babies | Drop-In
Weekly on Fridays | July 14 to August 25
10:15 AM PST - 10:45 AM PST
Babytime is an wonderful way to bond with your baby, to have fun, to meet other parents and caregivers, and to develop early literacy and speech skills. Join us for an interactive program full of songs, rhymes, tickles, books, and more! Recommended for newborns to approximately 18 months. Siblings welcome!
Saturday | June 24 | 10:00 AM PST - 10:30 AM PST
Saturday | July 15 | 10:00 AM PST - 10:30 AM PST
Saturday | August 5 | 10:00 AM PST - 10:30 AM PST
Enjoy a Library Story Time at the Ross Street Plaza Farmer's Market this summer!
Weekly on Wednesdays | July 5 to August 16
10:00 AM PST - 11:00 AM PST
Join us at a different park each week for fun stories, songs, and activities.
Here's a list of parks we'll visit this summer:
July 5- Blackburn Park (Summer Kick-Off Party)
July 12- Salmon Arm West Elementary
July 19- William Baker Park (North Canoe Ball Diamond)
July 26- Fletcher Park
August 2- Klahani Park
August 9- R. J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum Amphitheatre
August 16- Blackburn Park (Wind-up Party)
School Age | Drop-In
Wednesday | June 28 | 3:30 PM PST - 4:30 PM PST
Drop-in to the library for some building fun with Lego, Meccano, Duplo and Keva Planks! Connect with other kids and break out the bricks for a building bonanza.
9 to 14 years old | Registration Required
Thursday | July 6 | 11:00 AM PST - 12:00 PM PST
Art therapist Eiko Uehara will teach teens and tweens how to make fun origami creations. This program is for ages 9 -14 years, but older teens are welcome to register as well.
Tuesday | July 11 | 11:00 AM PST - 12:00 PM PST
Come meet Firefighters Tyler and Tammy and learn important fire safety tips. They will also teach us how to stay safe during wildfire season.
School Age | Registration Required
Tuesday | July 18 | 10:00 AM PST - 11:30 AM PST
Come learn about some of the nest birds of B.C! We will then build bird feeders with help from local woodworker Donald Thomson.
This is for ages 5 and up. Children under 9 need an adult or teen helper with them.
Thursday | July 20 | 11:00 AM PST - 12:00 PM PST
Ready to explore nature through your senses? Listening to the forest can tell you lots about the local bird communities. Come practice with us and learn about our vocal neighbors.
9 to 12 years old | Registration Required
Friday | July 21 | 2:00 PM PST - 3:30 PM PST
Create artwork using foraged forest pieces... All tools and supplies will be provided.
Thursday | August 10 | 11:00 AM PST - 12:00 PM PST
If you built a boat, how well would it float? Come build and test simple boats to determine which will hold the most cargo.
Saturday | August 12 | 12:00 PM PST - 1:00 PM PST
Participate in a guided painting class while eating yummy cookies! Let us know of any allergies when you register.
11 to 14 years old | Registration Required
Tuesday | July 25 | 11:00 AM PST - 12:30 PM PST
Join us for some self-care and relaxation as we make individually scented bath salts, create journals for goal setting, and mix-up some delicious protein bars to take home. A day all about you!
This program is for ages 11 – 14.
*Allergy warning for nut butter
Teens | Registration Required
Friday | August 4 | 10:00 AM PST - 1:00 PM PST
Do you want to learn to play songs by Billie Eilish, Twenty One Pilots, and other favourite artists on the ukulele? Join us for a FREE beginner ukulele course for teens!
No prior experience necessary, just a desire to have fun, sing and strum. Online registration is required.
Please bring your ukulele if you have one. No ukulele? No problem! We have a limited number of ukuleles available to use during the workshop, so please let us know if you need one during registration.
Questions? Please contact Kristy Smith at ksmith@orl.bc.ca
Go to our Events Calendar to see the full list of online activities, details and dates.
Check out our prerecorded oral stories, songs and rhymes on our ORL YouTube Channel:
Songs and Rhymes
Oral Stories
Pictures from past programs can be found at our Salmon Arm Kids in the Library blog at https://salibrarykids.wordpress.com/
This blog is no longer 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? Please speak with the Branch Head Librarian or contact limage@orl.bc.ca. We'd love to hear your suggestions!
Sat June 3 | 10:00 - 11:30 am
Learn about organic gardening practices, local food security, and how to create a healthy ecosystem that requires less maintenance! Registration preferred (but drop-ins are welcome!).
Not just beautiful, permaculture gardens are highly functional and sustainable. Whether you're gardening on a balcony, your backyard, or on a farm, permaculture can work for you!
Tues May 30 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Learn how to create your very own woolly toadstool! Needle-felting is a fibre are that involves felting and sculpting wool with a barbed needle. Fiona will teach the basics during this fun session! Registration required.
Community Assistance
Thursdays April 13th, May 4th, June 1st | 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Do you need free, confidential legal assistance? Our Legal Advocate can assist you with:
provincial and federal benefits programs
employment standards
Drop-in any time between 1:30 - 3:30 pm with your questions! This initiative is generously provided by The Shuswap Family Centre.
Tuesdays | 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Do you need assistance with housing in Salmon Arm? Drop by the Salmon Arm Library on Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30pm to talk with the Housing Outreach Coordinator for CMHA.
Computer & Technology Training
Tuesdays (March 28 - May 9) | 2 - 3 pm
The Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society is offering a drop-in technology help desk to assist with basic questions about using digital devices. This includes tablets, cell phones, laptops and e-readers. Examples of topics suitable for the drop-in technology help desk include:
This is a Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society initiative.
Tuesdays (March 28 - May 9) | 1 - 4 pm
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 Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society initiative.
Book Clubs & Literary Events
4th Fridays of the month (May 26, June 23) | 2:30 - 3:30 pm
When was the last time you could sit back, relax, and let someone else do the reading? Join Lisa for 30-40 minutes of live readings of entertaining stories!
No registration required - just drop in! All are welcome.
3rd Tuesday of the month (June 20) | 6:30 - 8 pm
Looking for support and camaraderie as you work on your next literary endeavor? Join the Shuswap Writers' Group at the Salmon Arm Library!
2nd Tuesday of the month | 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Love reading and talking about books? Join our Salmon Arm Reads Book Club! We meet monthly on Tuesday mornings to discuss our latest title in a fun and friendly atmosphere. No registration required - just drop in!
Participants are responsible for securing their own copies; a limited number of copies may be available at the circulation desk (call 250-832-6161 to check availability). Large print copies and ebooks may also be available through our catalogue.
June 13: Greenwood by Michael Christie.
The unexpected legacies of a remote island off the coast of British Columbia will link the fates of five people over a hundred years. Cloud Atlas meets The Overstory in this ingenious nested-ring epic set against the devastation of the natural world.
4th Thursdays of the month | 12 pm - 1 pm (online via Teams)
Apr 27: Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South
May 25: Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage
June 22: George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four
Welcome to Classics Book Club, an online book club all about tackling those classic novels you've heard about - but haven't yet read!
While we endeavor to have eBook copies available, participants are responsible for finding their own copy of the book.
Online registration is required. Please ensure your email address is entered correctly, as we will be sending you the link to participate shortly before the event. The program is delivered via Microsoft Teams.
To participate, you will need:
Saturdays | 10:15 - 11:15am
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.
Registration is required. Go to our Salmon Arm Events Calendar to register.
Hobbies, Crafts, & Games
2nd and 4th Mondays | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Have you ever wanted to research your family tree? Join our friendly group of genealogists at the library to share ideas, learn new tips and tricks, and solve research roadblocks. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned family historian, we'll help you 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 | 1:00 - 4:00 pm
If you spin (or are interested in learning!), join the Shuswap Spinners and Weavers on Tuesday afternoons in the meeting room. Drop-in; no registration required.
Thursdays | 11:00 am - Noon
Interested in playing Scrabble and meeting new friends? Come to the new Scrabble club at the library every Thursday morning!
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.
2nd and 4th Thursdays | 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Come strum with us! Join us for a fun and relaxed jam with fellow uke enthusiasts. All skill levels are welcome, but players should know the basics. Please bring your ukulele and a music stand. Contact Kristy with any questions: ksmith@orl.bc.ca
DnD and Tabletop Games Night - CANCELLED
If you are interested in being the weekly Dungeon/Games Master, email us at sareference@orl.bc.ca and we can bring this program back.
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
The Friends of the Library group supports the library through advocacy and fundraising. We have recently helped fund:
We are looking for new members! If you love the library and would like to join our group, please contact trudy.vercholuk@gmail.com for more information. Annual membership dues are $5.
The April book sale was a wonderful success, raising over $2200 for the Salmon Arm and South Shuswap libraries. Thank you to all who volunteered at, donated to, and/or supported the book sale!
The next book sale will be October 20 and 21 at Piccadilly Mall.
We appreciate book donations from the public of gently used materials. We will happily accept the following items:
The following materials are not accepted:
Thank you for thinking of the library! If you have more than one box of books to donate, please call ahead (250-832-6161) to ensure we have space.
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