A new library with more space at a more central location is set to open in Lumby Saturday, Nov. 2. 

The library has been purpose-built onto the strip mall at 2092 Vernon Street, next to the post office. 

Michael Utko, marketing and communications director for Okanagan Regional Library (ORL), said plans to build a new library came together quickly around May 2023. 

"We were approached by the building owner that we're moving into, asking if we would be interested," he told The Morning Star. "We had an opportunity to come in and lay out the space ourselves. We were in conversation with the owner about how much space we need and what does it look like. It was a really good opportunity for us."

Lumby councillor Lori Mindnich, the village's ORL representative, confirmed that the Sheardown family that owns Freshmart grocery store was looking to expand the mall and approached the village, and "it felt like the stars aligned perfectly" to use the opportunity to upgrade the community's library space, as the old space on Shields Avenue was getting overstuffed. 

"We always knew we were going to need a new space because we were kind of outgrowing the other space, and parking was becoming an issue when the hockey tournaments were going on," Mindnich said.

"I think it's going to be a perfect asset for the community," she added. 

A grand opening will be held at the library from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, with people invited to come check out the new space. 

Utko said one of the ORL's main goals in its strategic plan is to build more flexible spaces at its 30 branches, and the new library in Lumby accomplishes that while adding some more comfortable reading areas. 

"The space itself features a good-sized collection with some seating areas and a meeting room," Utko said. "We wanted to provide a little bit more space where people can come in and just hang out and read and maybe meet, or where activities are a little bit easier to run because we have a more flexible space."

He added the location was "a big draw, just because we are so much closer to shopping destinations and we're a little bit more visible in that area."

The new library's physical collection will be a little smaller to accommodate a meeting room and additional seating, said Utko, but he assured that Lumby residents "will not lose access to millions of resources that we have on hand available from other branches." 

Like all ORL libraries, Utko said the new Lumby library will be a place for people to go without the need to spend money. 

"A library is almost the last place in the community where you can just go and sit down ... without spending a penny," he said. 

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