The ORL strives to support patrons with diverse needs through a variety of different collections, programs, and services.
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Your library membership needs to have print disability status to access collections created especially for users with print disabilities. The following forms are used to create this update:
Please complete the appropriate form and mail it back to access@orl.bc.ca so we can update your library record and get you started.
Come join our merry band of minds as we explore the world of books.
Are you looking to connect with other readers, learn about new books, or share your opinions? The Readers is a program to connect with others and discuss books and reading with fellow adult book lovers. Each week starts with a question or theme and the conversation goes from there. We are open to all kinds of readers – as any type of reading is reading!
The program is over the phone – no computer knowledge is required. Register online or call 778-658-6394, or email access@orl.bc.ca to receive the conference line phone number and access code.
Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 - 2:00pm
Here are some topics we’ve enjoyed discussing in the past:
Listen and Relax to a Story
Storytelling is core to the human experience. When was the last time you could sit back, relax, and let someone else do the reading? Join us for 30-40 minutes to listen to live readings of tales – humour, mystery, or science fiction. A discussion of the story may follow.
Adult Story Time will take place on the first Wednesday of the month from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Both are currently offered through Zoom – check our event calendar for more details.
CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access Collection) is a national non-profit organization that supports Canadians with print disabilities. These patrons can access media and reading materials in the format of their choice. After registering with CELA, you can download material to a home computer or device.
To register:
NOTE: Beyond titles from CELA, titles from the American service, Bookshare, are also available with a Proof of Disability form which requires a signature from a certifying professional.
NNELS (National Network for Equitable Library Service) is a provincially funded online collection of digital books for readers with print disabilities, available at through the NNELS website. Once registered with NNELS, you will be able to download digital book formats including DAISY, MP3, eTEXT, PDF, and EPUB.
Both eBooks and eAudiobooks are available for download to a computer or portable device using a valid library card and PIN code. These can be borrowed for free through our ORL eBooks collection.
Libby, used to access ORL eBooks, has now added the option to turn on Dyslexic font when you’re reading an eBook. To make this change start by opening your book and then:
For more information check out the help page from Libby.
We encourage you to give it a try, you may find you prefer it too!
To read more about the Accessibility Features in Libby check out their Libby & Accessibility page.
Books for Children and Teens with Diversabilities or Additional Needs - see our booklists, created by our librarians, for parents and caretakers of children and teens with diversabilities or additional needs.
Please complete the appropriate form and mail it back to access@orl.bc.ca so we can make the appropriate changes and get you started.
We love to connect with people to help improve their access to library services. We focus on providing selection service for print disabled customers where we select physical materials specific to patron’s wants and get these requests to their local branch for pick-up. Most print disabled customers either pick-up their material themselves or they have a family member or friend pick-up for them.
Please contact Access Services for more information:
Extended loans are available to customers who are homebound temporarily or on a continued basis due to illness or other disability. An extended loan period of 42 days is applied to all eligible items borrowed. Some borrowing restrictions apply. Please inquire at your local library branch for further information.
Friendly staff at all library branches are available to help. Library branches strive to be accessible. Some branches offer additional accessible equipment such as automatic doors, elevators, accessible bathrooms, walkers, wheelchairs, BlindSquare beacon, hearing loops, and a computer with ZoomText Magnifying software.
Some library branches partner with local organizations to provide home delivery of library materials to homebound customers. Please ask at your local library branch if home delivery is available in your community.
The Okanagan Regional Library is currently working on our first Accessibility Plan and Feedback tool as required by September 2023. Our Accessibility & Inclusion Advisory Committee has now approved our Terms of Reference (pdf).
We are committed to working with our committee to learn how we could be more accessible. Please contact access@orl.bc.ca for any request or comments.
Information will be shared here as we progress.
A print disability is defined in the Canadian Copyright Act and is a disability that limits a person from reading print in its original format due to:
Not sure if you qualify? Ask us.