After electing its new leaders, the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) board of directors got down to business, starting with some great news.
West 麻豆精选 councillor Tasha Da Silva is now the board chair, with Vernon councillor Kari Gares elected as board vice-chair.
After the election, directors heard how the library program attendance is at an all-time high, reflecting the region鈥檚 enthusiasm for library services and the dedication of branch staff. ORL branches hosted 561 programs and welcomed 28,713 attendees in 2024.
The ORL鈥檚 Summer Reading Club (SRC) saw record-breaking participation in 2024, with 8,139 children joining 鈥� an eight per cent increase from 2023 and a remarkable 35 per cent growth over pre-pandemic levels.
鈥淪ummer Reading Club is one of the biggest events at our libraries,鈥� said Ashley Machum, head of youth services. 鈥淚 handle the behind-the-scenes logistics so our incredible staff can focus on bringing creativity and magic to their branches. The connections they build with kids and families during SRC are truly special.鈥�
The ORL鈥檚 Library of Things collection continues to grow, offering patrons unique borrowable items, from Radon and Carbon Dioxide Detection Kits to Birding Backpacks. Upcoming additions 鈥� made possible through community partnerships 鈥� include Dental Health Kits (Interior Health), and Bat Backpacks (BC Bat Society).
In February the ORL also welcomed Corinne Boback as its new administrative services manager. Boback brings 20 years of experience in local government, records management, and municipal operations.
System-wide facility improvements remain a priority for the ORL, with the recently finalized design for the North Shuswap Branch marking a major step in rebuilding after the wildfire of 2023.
As planning for Summer Reading Club 2025 gets underway, with the theme 鈥淐olour Your Summer," the ORL remains committed to literacy, creativity, and community connection.
For more information, please visit www.orl.bc.ca.
