View our guidelines for safely using your library during Step 3.
Book Returns are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, excluding the Easter and Christmas closures.
We are open full hours, seating is available and our water fountain is open. Face masks are now required in the library.
We are currently working on safety plans for how we can reopen some in person programming this fall in mid-October. Please check back regularly for updates as we work with the new PHO orders and check out the events calendar for all virtual and in person events.
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.
Vernon branch's brand new makerspace is now open! Featuring equipment and tools for hands-on projects, digital media creation, and exploring and learning new technology. Our recording studio will not be available until early October due to COVID 19, but our Creation Stations, Cricut cutter and Digitization Stations are now available for use.
To use an ORL Makerspace independently, all makers must:
You'll need a library card to use our maker tools. Get a card.
This space is primarily for users 14 and up. Users under 14 must be actively accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a certified Makerspace user. Users between 14 and 18 must have their legal guardian sign their Makerspace Agreement and Makerspace Waiver.
Generously funded by the Vernon Friends of the Library
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. Wednesdays 1-3 pm & 5-8 pm, Thursdays 11 am - 1 pm, 2-3 pm & 4-5 pm, & some Fridays & Saturdays.
Go to Spaces, our online booking calendar, to browse and reserve our maker stations and tools. You will be asked to create a Spaces account (and confirm your email address) in order to complete your first booking request.
View our certification courses and tutorials
Preserve your memories by digitizing your old photos, slides, video tapes, mini-VHS tapes, vinyl records, and audio cassettes.
Explore Digitizing
Use our dedicated Microsoft Surface Pros for your digital media creations. Our creation stations offers Adobe Creative Suite software to support your projects from graphic design, photography, audio editing, to animation.
Explore Creation Stations
Use our Cricut Maker, a high tech and precise cutting, drawing, and scoring machine. It cuts a hundreds of materials quickly and accurately, from the most delicate paper and fabric to matboard and leather — and supports almost any DIY project. You must be Maker Certified to use the Cricut Maker - which you can do virtually from home or in branch on one of our internet terminals.
Explore Material Cutting
Record audio stories, podcasts, and music with our sound-protected recording studio which will hold up to 5 musicians (very cozy).
Explore Audio Recording
There are several convenience gadgets available in the Makerspace as well:
On Saturday October 2nd the VFOL will hold an outdoor book sale at 9908 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream. Check their FB page for all of the details.
Have a question? If so, please contact our Youth Services Librarian, Stephanie Thoreson, at sthoreson@orl.bc.ca.
We are hoping to run in person story times this fall. Times will be announced once we have confirmed all of the health and safety guidelines in accordance with Public Health Orders.
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30am
Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Register for TEAMS links and passwords.
Pick up our brand new 100 Books to Read before Kindergarten booklist!
Read Woke Story Times
Families | Online Program | Registration Required
Select Mondays in Oct and Nov, 3:15pm - 3:45pm. Presented by Vernon Library.
Family story times that feature picture books by authors of colour and that celebrate diverse cultures. Each story time corresponds to the Read Woke reading lists, such as: Eastern Voices, Black Voices, Latinx Voices, Indigenous Voices, Women’s Voices, and Diverse Abilities.
Tough Topics Story Times
Select dates and times in Sept, Oct, and Nov. Presented by Vernon Library.
Join a librarian and local community agencies such as Clinical Counselling Service, Vernon District Immigrant and Community Services Society, and BGC Okanagan Achiever’s Program to explore tough topics through picture books and discussion.
Topics: Parenting with Attachment, Feeling Like You Stand Out, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Serious Illness.
Book a Tuesday or Wednesday morning for a virtual class visit.
Crafts and book related activities in a bag will be available to be picked up in the children's area every 2 weeks while supplies last.
Writing contests and workshops
Ages 14-24 | Wednesdays | 6:30pm-7:30pm
Read outstanding diverse YA books with us! Each week we will read a few chapters of a book and meet virtually to discuss. Monthly book prize draw. Registration Required
October 6-December 22
All Ages | October 4, 2021 - April 1, 2022
Read outstanding books by diverse authors to gain new knowledge, build empathy, and empower yourself. Chance to win prizes! For details on how to participate, related events, and booklists visit: www.orl.bc.ca/read-woke
In-person events are cancelled until early October. Online events through Microsoft Teams are in calendar format here and on the main page of this guide.
All adult programs and events at the Vernon Library are FREE to the public. Please take careful note of registration requirements.
If you have an idea you'd like to see happen @ your library, email us at vereference@orl.bc.ca.
Want to find new reading material, hear about library stuff, and have a chuckle at the same time? Join us once a month as we talk genres and crack dorky jokes.
Listen online at: https://anchor.fm/orl-podcast or on Spotify
3rd Wednesday of the Month | 7-8 PM | Online
The book club is open to all interested adults. Registration Required for each date HERE
Vernon Branch invites you to read the suggested titles and to join us for a lively, facilitated discussion of the featured title.
2021 Book Titles
You are responsible for placing a hold on a copy of the book. There are usually some copies available at the Vernon Upstairs Desk. Please call ahead for availability. Many titles are also available in eBook, eAudiobook, and audiobook formats in the ORL catalogue.
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.
We offer free one-on-one training sessions to help you learn to use our online digital resources including eBooks, PressReader, Flipster Digital Magazines, and LinkedIn Learning for Libraries.
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.
Due to COVID-19, this service is not available at the library until further notice.
The Vernon Branch has two meeting rooms available for rent during regular business days and hours. For further information, please contact the branch at 250-542-7610.
The first floor Meeting Room has a capacity of 100 participants and is equipped with tables, chairs, audio visual equipment, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Rental Fee:
Full Room/Capacity 100: $85 (3 hours) + GST = $89.25 (additional hours $10 ea. + GST)
Half Room/Capacity 50: $50 (3 hours) + GST = $52.50 (additional hours $10 ea. + GST)
Bookings are not confirmed until the rental fee has been paid.
The second floor Community Room has a capacity of 30 and is equipped with tables, chairs, audio visual equipment, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Rental Fee: $50 (3 hours) + GST = $52.50 (additional hours $10 ea. + GST)
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.
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.
Come on out for some great deals and support the library!
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