What’s up at the Oliver Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library?

The ORL Board commissioned a study in 2013 comparing branch costs to tax revenue received in each community and Oliver Branch is costing more than the taxes received from this area.

Stephanie Hall, Executive Director says: “… the plan for 2014 will not call for layoffs in Oliver.  We are going to see what we can do through attrition and other means.  We have great staff and we don’t want them having to worry because of rumours in the community. We are going to involve unions and staff in the process.”

The ORL is committed to providing the best possible service for the citizens of Oliver while being financially responsible.  Several operating cost adjustment options are being explored.

One of these is the current location, which is larger than Board standards for the population it serves and therefore costs more than the library can afford to pay.

The ORL is looking for expressions of interest to see what other, slightly smaller and less expensive, building options are available in Oliver (around 4,500 sq ft) when the library lease comes up this year.

If you have suitable space, questions or suggestions, please send them to

dnettleton@orl.bc.ca before April 30, 2014