Photo: ORL

The former children's area in the Lake Country library branch. The area is being moved to make way for an office for the branch's new professional librarian. A new larger permanent children's area will be located in a different part of the branch.

The Okanagan Regional Library branch in Lake Country is getting its first professional librarian.

According to the ORL, the branch’s popularity and circulation prompted the decision and a librarian has been hired.

Construction of an office for the new librarian is planned inside the Lake Country library branch, in the space that used to be the children’s area of the branch.

That move prompted concern from some Lake Country library users, who were upset that the branch was losing its children’s area.

But Michal Utko, director of marketing and communications for the ORL, said that is not the case. He said a smaller, temporary children’s area had been set up inside the branch and the plan is to expand it by taking out nearby shelving, installing new kids' tables and seating, as well as adding more children's books. The new permanent space will be larger than the former children’s area in the branch.

“We are excited to hear people are concerned because it shows they care about their library,” said Utko, adding with the arrival of a professional librarian, new resources and services will be available at the branch, as well as a higher level of support and coordination of services and programs for the community.

Despite advances in technology, Utko said the library has seen a increase in the use of ORL branches. In addition to an increase in the use of online resources, the popularity of physical books and the use of branches has been climbing since the end of the pandemic, during which it dipped.

Utko said he expects the new larger permanent children’s area at the Lake Country branch to be ready for use in a few weeks.