Library Services Project

Exploring Library Service Models in the City of Penticton

To ensure community needs are being met while getting the best possible value, the City of Penticton is currently exploring the different Library Service Models.

Under the Library Act, to change models, assent voting is required. This means no decisions are being made at this time.

The City is seeking feedback and input to help determine if the community would like to consider shifting to a Regional Model, which would mean joining the Okanagan Regional Library. If so, Council may decide to have a question on the ballot at the upcoming municipal election for the Community to decide.

👉 Take the short survey below to share your perspective

Why This Is Being Explored

The City is reviewing how library services are delivered to ensure they continue to meet community needs now and into the future.

Joining ORL is one option being considered to:

Expand access to books, digital resources, and programs
Strengthen regional collaboration and support
Provide broader regional library access
Improve long-term financial efficiency

This exploration is part of ongoing efforts to modernize services and plan responsibly for the future.

What This Could Mean

If the City were to join ORL:

Library services would be delivered through a regional system rather than independently
Residents could access a wider collection of materials and digital resources
Programming and services could be expanded through shared regional capacity
Library staff would transition into the regional system, maintaining employment while accessing broader opportunities

Considerations and Questions We’ve Heard

We recognize there are important considerations, including:

Maintaining a sense of local identity and community connection
How decisions would be made within a regional structure
Perceptions about service levels, including wait times or access to materials
Ensuring a smooth and supportive transition for staff

These perspectives are important and part of why we are engaging the community early.

Council has also directed staff to engage in a third-party review of library service delivery in Penticton to better understand the full impacts of shifting to a regional model with the Okanagan Regional Library. This information will be available in June 2026.

What Happens Next

No decision has been made.

If Council chooses to proceed, the next step would be to ask residents a question during the upcoming municipal election.

Your feedback through this survey will help inform:

Whether the City should move forward with assent voting
What information residents need to make an informed decision

Have Your Say

We invite all residents to share their views. Survey opens April 14th 2026.

👉 Complete the survey (takes 4–5 minutes)

Your input will help guide Council’s next steps and ensure decisions are informed by the community.

Exploring Library Service Models in the City of Penticton

To ensure community needs are being met while getting the best possible value, the City of Penticton is currently exploring the different Library Service Models.

Under the Library Act, to change models, assent voting is required. This means no decisions are being made at this time.

The City is seeking feedback and input to help determine if the community would like to consider shifting to a Regional Model, which would mean joining the Okanagan Regional Library. If so, Council may decide to have a question on the ballot at the upcoming municipal election for the Community to decide.

👉 Take the short survey below to share your perspective

Why This Is Being Explored

The City is reviewing how library services are delivered to ensure they continue to meet community needs now and into the future.

Joining ORL is one option being considered to:

Expand access to books, digital resources, and programs
Strengthen regional collaboration and support
Provide broader regional library access
Improve long-term financial efficiency

This exploration is part of ongoing efforts to modernize services and plan responsibly for the future.

What This Could Mean

If the City were to join ORL:

Library services would be delivered through a regional system rather than independently
Residents could access a wider collection of materials and digital resources
Programming and services could be expanded through shared regional capacity
Library staff would transition into the regional system, maintaining employment while accessing broader opportunities

Considerations and Questions We’ve Heard

We recognize there are important considerations, including:

Maintaining a sense of local identity and community connection
How decisions would be made within a regional structure
Perceptions about service levels, including wait times or access to materials
Ensuring a smooth and supportive transition for staff

These perspectives are important and part of why we are engaging the community early.

Council has also directed staff to engage in a third-party review of library service delivery in Penticton to better understand the full impacts of shifting to a regional model with the Okanagan Regional Library. This information will be available in June 2026.

What Happens Next

No decision has been made.

If Council chooses to proceed, the next step would be to ask residents a question during the upcoming municipal election.

Your feedback through this survey will help inform:

Whether the City should move forward with assent voting
What information residents need to make an informed decision

Have Your Say

We invite all residents to share their views. Survey opens April 14th 2026.

👉 Complete the survey (takes 4–5 minutes)

Your input will help guide Council’s next steps and ensure decisions are informed by the community.

Survey

Library Service Options Community Survey
The City of Penticton is exploring the option of joining the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) system.
This option is being considered for these potential benefits:
- Expanding access to books, digital resources, and additional services
- Providing broader regional library access
- Improving long-term financial efficiency
At the same time, some considerations include:
- Changes to local governance and decision-making
- Questions about service delivery (e.g., wait times or access)
- The transition from an independent municipal library system
No decision has been made. Under the Library Act, assent voting would be required before any change. This means the City of Penticton would be required to ask its residents to vote regarding this decision during the next municipal election taking place in October 2026.*
*Under the Library Act, a Council can only dissolve a municipal library by bylaw adopted with the assent of the electors. Your feedback is requested and will help inform whether there is support from Penticton residents and if the City should proceed with assent voting as part of the upcoming General Local Election.
Note: The City of Penticton respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Your personal information will be collected and only used for the purpose of gathering feedback on the Library Service Options Community Survey and possible improvements pursuant to Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection, access, use or disclosure of your personal information, please contact Corporate Officer/Head of FOIPPA at foi@penticton.ca or 250-490-2400.
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Page last updated: 14 Apr 2026, 10:13 AM