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.
Branch Head Kristy Hennings
250-542-7610 ext. 6891
khennings@orl.bc.ca
Book Returns are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, excluding the Easter and Christmas closures.
June is Pride!
Join us for a series of events for all ages that celebrate inclusion and diversity in our community.
A positive space for LGBQT2S+ teens and their allies to discuss the history of LGBQT2S+ rights. The library will have books on the subject displayed for you to explore. If there's a historic time or person you are passionate about you can share that information with the group. This is not a formal presentation, just an opportunity to share the learning experience.
Thursday June 23rd at 6 pm
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Hey local library lovers, musicians, authors, dancers, poets and artists of all stripes! Who wants to help us celebrate the library's 10th birthday on Saturday June 18th? We will have live music, birthday-theme story time, adult book club, knitting circle, art making, face painting and community building happening all day. Our Makerspace and Recording Studio will be open with demonstrations and tours by signing up at the library.
June 18th | 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Check out our virtual and in branch programming on our events calendar. Our Makerspace and Recording Studio are open and ready for use! Check out the details on booking them here.
Have a question? Call us at 250-542-7610 during open hours. For eBook, resource or reference help you can also email help@orl.bc.ca or call 1-844-649-8127.
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.
Picture books, rhymes, songs and felt stories. Aimed at ages 3-5 but all ages are welcome.
Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 am April-June
Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays at 10:30am July-August
Story Time with a Firefighter July 9 and 19 at 10:30 am Family fun with a firefighter. Books, songs and cool equipment.
Story Time in the Park
Stories and more in your neighbourhood park throughout the summer. 10:30-11:00am
July 15 - Heritage Park, 5025 Heritage Dr. July 29 - Alexis Park, 3951 Alexis Park Dr. Aug. 5 - South Vernon Park, 1910 43 St. Aug. 12 - N'Kwala Park, 5440 MacDonald Rd. Aug. 19 - Girouard Park, 4109 20 St.
Teachers
Contact sthoreson@orl.bc.ca if you are interested in a in person or virtual visit or information.
Our Makerspace and Recording Studio are open - would you like to bring in your class to learn about the equipment and a session with our Technical Assistant? Email Cody at cepema@orl.bc.ca for more information and to book a time..
Ages 5-12
Registration required for all activities.
Summer Reading Club June 13-August 30
Queer History chat
Thursday June 23, 6-8 PM
Writing Short (fan) Fiction Thursday July 6th, 3-4 PM
There’s a story bubbling up inside you that no one’s heard before. This thing has all your favourite characters in it and takes place in settings you’ve seen countless times before, maybe more on your feed than actually on streaming if we’re being honest. Well, this is your chance to put your head cannon into writing! Join local writer, Shimshon Obadia (they/them) for this workshop at the Vernon library and discover the joys of bringing a new take to old favourites.
Writing Poetry Thursday July 20th, 3-4 PM
Everyone’s a poet but you’ve got a little something extra, deeper, maybe even a bit funny to express in stanzas don’t you? If you’ve ever wanted to see where your lyric prowess can take you, this is your chance! Join local writer, Shimshon Obadia (they/them) for this reading and workshop at the Vernon library exploring free verse and written rhythm beyond the meter.
Writing Creative Non-Fiction Thursday August 10th, 3-4 PM
Remember that time the thing happened that no one will stop asking about? Face it, it’s not even about that Thing™ anymore, people just love hearing you tell them how it all happened. If you’ve ever thought you should write your life down, this is your chance! Join local writer, Shimshon Obadia (they/them) for this reading and workshop at the Vernon library engaging what it means to retell your best (and worst) experiences, slant.
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.
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Special Events
Book Clubs & Literary Events
Creative Circles
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Health
Makerspace
Technology Training
Hey local library lovers, musicians, authors, dancers, poets and artists of all stripes! Who wants to help us celebrate the library's 10th birthday on Saturday June 18th? We would love to have live music, spoken word, storytelling, art making, and community building happening all day. Our Makerspace and Recording Studio will be open with demonstrations and certifications all day long.
June 18th | 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
The Vernon Reads Book Club is open to all interested adults. Engaging discussions are held monthly, January to November each year.
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.
2022 Book Titles
3rd Saturday of each month | 10:30-11:30 am | Community Room
The Kalamalka Weavers and Spinners guild is a group of fibre enthusiasts that are mainly focussed 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 - 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
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
Last Wednesday of each month | 7 PM - 9 PM | Community Room
Come play the game of kings! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to seasoned players.
Tuesdays | 6:00 - 8:45 p.m. | Community Room
Mah Jongg: American Version
If you love games, you'll love American Mah-Jongg. Experienced and novice players are all welcome - all equipment is supplied.
This program will get underway beginning September, 2022.
Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM | Magazine area
Substance Use First Aid is a 90-minute presentation 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.
This is a free drop-in program open to adults and young adults alike.
nd how to administer it and how to respond to 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 | 5 PM - 6:30 PM | Meeting 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:
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.
Monday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00 am - 8:30 pm
*our Technical Assistant is available for extra guidance during limited hours. Please email him at cepema@orl.bc.ca to book a time.
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
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 or in person at the library.
One hour appointments offered Tuesdays at 10 am and 11 am, Thursdays 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 2 pm, and Saturdays at 1 pm and 2 pm.
Want to learn how to access the library's digital resources? Whether a Kobo eReader, phone, tablet or computer, we can teach you the skills you need to connect to the library's eBooks, eAudio, Rosetta Stone, PressReader and more. Contact us to set up your appointment at 250-542-7610 ext. 6820.
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 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 once again 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.
Due to COVID-19, we are not able to offer any sit down, in person eResource training until further notice.
Check here to see if your eReader or Tablet is compatible with the library's eBook provider.
Do you have questions about what the library can offer you? Call today to sign up! 250-542-7610.
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.
Due to COVID-19, this room is not available until further notice.
The library has a beautiful boardroom that can be booked by groups or individuals for up to 2 hours at a time, free of charge. The room may be booked up to 24 hours in advance by calling 250-542-7610. It's a great space for tutoring, studying, meetings, scrap-booking and more!
The library has a small office available that can be booked by individuals for up to 2 hours at a time, free of charge. This space is great for tutoring, studying, and small meetings (4 people maximum). The room may be booked up to 24 hours in advance by calling 250-542-7610.
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.
Children's Book Sale @ the library Friday June 24th and Saturday June 25th
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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