Vernon library most used branch in region, council aims to permanently fund Sunday openings

Apr 10, 2024 | 5:00 AM

The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) branch in downtown Vernon is the best used facility in the region, and plans are in the works to ensure it remains accessible every day of the week.

Danielle Hubbard, the CEO of the ORL, and Kristy Hennings, a librarian and head of the Vernon branch, presented a new strategic plan and an update on activities at the local library to Vernon city council.

Hubbard said the ORL offers 588,550 physical materials and 144,650 digital materials through the network of libraries from Osoyoos to Revelstoke.

Of the 30 branches of the ORL, the Vernon location was identified as the best used library last year.

“In 2023, we had [201,704] individual visits to our branch of the library, and at the Vernon branch, we circulate more materials than any other branch in the system and we really pride ourselves on this. We do better than downtown Kelowna,” Hennings told city council Monday.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

17h ago

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

18h ago

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

20h ago

The local library also circulated 358,569 physical items in 2023, which was more than any other ORL branch.

The facility hosted numerous programs throughout 2023.

“Last year, we ran 455 programs for kids aged zero to 12 years old, with 12,934 people attending, ” Hennings declared.

She said 517 programs were provided for adults, which are primarily done in conjunction with community groups, local non-profits, local businesses, a lot of those are done in partnership with other programs, along with 46 programs for teens, attended by 796 people].

“And one of our teen programs that we’ve been running regularly now is our Teen Pride Club that we run monthly and we’ve had a huge response on. We’ve brought in CMHA [Canadian Mental Health Association] so the kids have more mental health supports; and then 80 programs for new immigrants and folks who are learning English as a second language, with [1,373] people attending, and that’s in partnership with the Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society,” Hennings said.

“So lots of fun stuff happening in the building.”

The local branch also works in partnership with other social and community agencies to offer supports to vulnerable people, including running a Shelter Hub Pilot Program with Turning Points to assist people at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness, and Hennings said it is the first public library in B.C. to have Naloxone kits on site that are free to access, with Interior Health also offering free training at the library once a month.

Along with circulating books and hosting programs, the local library has many other resources that people may not know they can access.

The Vernon branch has a Maker Space that features a 3D printer, an audio recording studio, sewing machine and serger, circuit cutter and creative stations featuring the full Adobe Creative Cloud. It also has a Library of Things, allowing people to borrow a variety of items including birding backpacks, radon and carbon dioxide detectors, home energy kits, and learning toys. All of these items can be accessed free of charge with a library card.

The ORL report was received for information, Councillor Kari Gares asked if there would be a way to permanently fund the library’s Sunday operations.

“At this point of time, the City of Vernon, [District of Coldstream and Regional District of North Okanagan Areas B and C] have collectively funded our Sunday openings. Obviously the rationale is we believe whole-heartedly in providing extended services for our community as a whole because our library is used so significantly,” Gares stated.

The city councillor noted the funding is included in Vernon’s budget as a separate service, to which Hubbard said it may be better to have it included within the total library funding.

“I think it would be operationally much cleaner and easier for the library if it were embedded and it were an ongoing, more guaranteed funding source,” Hubbard told council, noting it will primarily help with staffing as the library’s Sunday operation roles are currently filled on a contract-basis and senior staff members are not working those days.

Gares then asked staff to report back at a future council meeting the options for fully funding the Sunday operations.

Hubbard told council ORL’s strategic plan includes the goals of cultivating learning, literacy, creativity and imagination; offering a welcoming, inclusive space; embracing local heritage and culture; developing and nurturing community partnerships; and striving for organizational and service excellence.

by Liam Verster

View Comments