Welcome back to the library!

We are in the Browse & Borrow phase of our Phased Re-opening Plan. All library locations are open! (Exception: Our UBCO location remains closed to the public until further notice). 

Watch our Browse & Borrow Video

We are excited to have you back!  Please help us by:

1) Wearing a Mask

Properly fitted masks that cover nose, mouth and chin are required. Scarfs, face shields, bandanas, neck gaiters, mouth guards, etc. will not be accepted face coverings.

If you forget your mask please asks staff for a disposable mask to wear during your visit.

Customers are REQUIRED to wear masks in libraries and other indoor public pages, as ordered by the Public Health Office.

2) Following these guidelines

• Do not visit the library if you are experiencing any respiratory or other COVID symptoms
• Customers must sanitize hands when coming into the branch, and we advise you to do so on exiting as well
• Customers must practice social distancing of at least 2 m (6 ft) while visiting the library
• Children must stay with their parents at all times
• Use our self-checkout machines whenever possible when borrowing items
• Return your items to the outside book-drop. Do not bring returns into the library.

We are keeping you and our staff as safe as possible by:

• Increasing cleaning and sanitization in all branches
• Limiting the number of people inside, to support physical distancing
• Supporting hand hygiene by providing sanitizer at each library entrance
• Providing longer loan periods as some customers may wish to quarantine their borrowed material at home. (Most items are a 4-week loan. DVDs in our Feature Films collection and books in our QuickRead Collection are a 2-week loan.)
• Masks are expected to be worn in all public spaces in BC, as advised by the the Public Health Office.
• Minimizing cash handling. We are temporarily not charging late fees. If you wish to pay any library fees, please pay online through your library account
• Ensuring safe working procedures and PPE are in place for staff.

We have ended 72 hour quarantine period for returned library materials

Guidelines for libraries and library visitors, issued by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), state that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on library materials is very low, and that evidence does not require libraries to quarantine or disinfect their items.  Given this guidance the ORL will no longer be quarantining library material.  This not only frees up library space for better purposes, it also frees up staff time and reduces the number of times staff are handling items.

Our COVID-19 Safety Plan

Okanagan Regional Library has completed a COVID-19 Safety Plan in accordance with WorkSafe BC. 

View the complete Safety Plan [PDF]

What is NOT available in the library branch during this phase?

• Newspapers and microfilm readers
• Meeting and Study Rooms
• Children’s toys/manipulatives
• Seating/chairs. (We are working towards introducing some seating areas with time limits in some branches. Contact your local branch.)
• In-branch events and programming (see our Events Calendar for online and at-home programming)
• Exam invigilation is a limited service. Please contact your local branch to see if they are able to offer it.