Campus Library Services
OC libraries are located on the Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and Vernon campuses. Students and employees may use any campus library, and services can be accessed in-person or online. Library hours vary by campus and time of year. Student study rooms can be booked online.
Students & Employees
Your student or employee photo ID is your library card and your student/employee number is your library card number. OC Business Services prepares ID cards.
Alumni
Library cards are available for OC/OUC Alumni, retired staff, and faculty with emeritus status. Cards are available for no cost on all campuses. Community borrower cards are issued by OC Library after the e-mail application to the Alumni Association has been completed. To obtain your card, please e-mail the alumni office with the subject “Alumni Library Card.” Retired staff can visit any campus circulation desk and ensure their account remains active following retirement.
Community
OC Library issues community member cards to those who are eligible. Information on borrower types and eligibility is available under the borrower types section of the website.
Services for...
Online course reserves
Online course reserves may be available through the Library's course reading list system. Ask your professor or instructor to create a list to provide direct access to selected readings and resources online and through Moodle.
Library supplied e-textbooks
The Library offers access to some online textbooks and required course books in online format. The e-textbook list is updated on an ongoing basis. Please contact your professor or instructor to request items ordered through the Library. Only some titles are available in ebook format for libraries to purchase.
Research help
Librarians offer research assistance and are available to help you find resources, develop and follow a research strategy, cite sources, and more. Book an appointment with a librarian online, contact a librarian, or try AskAway.
Communications from the library
You will receive all communication from the Library, including pickup, courtesy, and overdue notices, to your preferred e-mail account. If you wish to forward your myOkanagan e-mail to a different address, follow these instructions:
- Connect to myOkanagan and log in with your student number and password.
- Click the e-mail icon.
- Click the Options tab.
- Click the Settings link.
- Check Enable forwarding.
- Type a valid e-mail address in the Email Address box, and then click Add.
- Click exit to leave your myOkanagan e-mail. All your myOkanagan e-mail, including library notices, will now be sent to the address you specified.
Please note that you are responsible for ensuring that the external e-mail address you have specified is valid and that the account remains active. Okanagan College assumes no responsibility for lost e-mail that you have chosen to forward to a non-OC address.
Group study rooms
Group study rooms are available on all campus libraries. More information on booking guidelines and room amenities can be found under the group study room section of the library website. Students can book study rooms through LibCal.
OC Library advances teaching and learning by supporting instruction and professional development of OC faculty and staff. For more information please contact a librarian.
Print format course reserves
Faculty and instructors can request library materials to be reserved for course reading. Students can acquire these materials from the library front desk.
Liaison & Subject librarians
Orientation, Information Literacy & Instruction
Librarians at Okanagan College run an active instructional program committed to providing information literacy skills in support of developing information literate and lifelong learners. Librarians are available to provide campus library tours and general orientations for your students. Please submit your instruction requests online, or contact your liaison librarian.
Collection Development
The Library supports faculty/instructor input in developing the Library collection. The Library encourages suggestions for purchase from faculty. Please contact the liaison librarian for your department for more information and to submit these requests.
Other online resources for faculty & instructors
Alumni and community members are welcome to use and borrow materials from any campus library. Library hours vary by campus and time of year.
Alumni Users
Membership
Okanagan College Library Cards are available for OC and OUC Alumni. Cards are available FREE for all OC/OUC Student alumni or retired faculty and staff at all campuses. Community borrower cards are issued by OC Library after the e-mail application to the Alumni Association has been completed. To obtain your card, fill out this form and email it to the Alumni office, noting which campus you would like to pick up your card from. The Library will contact you when it is ready for pick up. Cards are valid for 365 days after being issued and may be renewed annually.
Community Users
Membership
OC Library issues community member cards to those who are eligible. Information on borrower types and eligibility is available from the borrower types section of the webpage.
Available Services
Online databases and electronic journals are available to alumni or community members on-campus. Off-campus access is not available due to licensing restrictions. Okanagan Regional Library provides access to online databases and e-journals for members. Interlibrary loans and reserve materials are not available to alumni or community members.
Borrowing Information
Information on requesting, returning and renewing materials can be found on the borrowing section of the Library website. This section also includes information on loan periods, fines and fees.
Loan periods vary by type of material. Unless otherwise marked, all items are due by closing time of the due date. Material returned after the due date may be subject to overdue fines. If you lose or damage Library materials, you are responsible for replacement and processing costs.
Circulating materials may be requested from any OC campus library and materials can be returned to any OC library. Use OCtopus to find materials. Requests and renewals must be made in-person, by phone or by email. Community members are unable to recall or place holds on items that are currently checked out. The number of renewals varies according to the material.
Guest Use of Library Computers
For Library users who are not Okanagan College students or employees, the Library may provide guest access to computers, provided that access does not interfere with students’ ability to use the computers. The Guest Use of Library Computers policy provides more information on the use of library computers by community members.
Book a Group Study Room
Group study rooms are available in the Library during the academic year at all OC campuses except Salmon Arm.
On the Kelowna campus, group study rooms at Centre for Learning (E Building) are also available for booking.
To book a study room, visit the easy-to-use LibCal booking system.
Conditions for group study room use:
- Students only
- Maximum 2 hours per booking
- 15 minutes late and room can be re-booked
- Rooms cannot be "kept" by leaving belongings in the room
Room Capacity & equipment (Current capacity is reduced. Please refer to the booking system for accurate capacity.)
| Campus | Equipment | Room | Capacity | Tables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelowna (Centre for Learning: E building) | DVD/VCR Player + LCD Display | E204 | 5 | 1 |
| White board + LCD Display | E206 | 6 | 1 (Board style) | |
| E214 | 5 | 1 (Round) | ||
| White board + LCD Display | E229 | 10 | 1 (Board style) | |
| White board + LCD Display | E306 | 8 | 1 (Board style) | |
| White board + LCD Display | E307 | 8 | 1 (Board style) | |
| LCD Display | E309A | 5 | 1 | |
| White board + LCD Display | E406 | 5 | 1 (Large board style) | |
| White board + LCD Display | E409 | 5 | 1 (Round) | |
| Kelowna | White board + LCD Display | L301 | 6 | 1 |
| White board + LCD Display+ TV/VCR/DVD player | L302 | 12 | 6 | |
| White board + LCD Display | L303 | 6 | 1 | |
| White board + LCD Display | L304 | 6 | 1 | |
| White board + LCD Display | L305 | 6 | 1 | |
| White board + LCD Display | L308 | 10 | 1 | |
| Kelowna (Trades Building) | T127B | 1 | ||
| Penticton | Whiteboard + LCD Display | PL120 | 6 | 1 |
| White board + LCD Display | PL118 | 6 | 1 | |
| Vernon | White board + LCD Display | A | 10 | 1 |
| Chalkboard + LCD Display | B | 10 | 1 |
Borrowing
Borrowing from OC Library
Borrow physical items from the Library using your student/employee card. Loan periods vary by type of material. Unless otherwise marked, all items are due by closing time of the due date. Material returned after the due date may be subject to overdue fines.
If you lose or damage Library materials, you are responsible for replacement and processing costs. You have the right to discuss fines with a librarian. You may also file a formal appeal.
Request items
Circulating items may be requested from any OC campus library. Use OCtopus (watch a how-to video) to place requests for material from other campuses or to place a hold on material that is signed out to another user. The material will be delivered to your campus library.
An e-mail will be sent to your preferred account to tell you when the material is available. You can also check your library account to see if the material has arrived.
Renew materials
Books and other library materials may be renewed online, in person, or by phone. The number of renewals varies according to the material. To access your account and renew online, click 'Login to my Library Account' at the top right of the screen.
Return materials
With the exception of materials on reserve, items may be returned to any OC Library. Reserve materials must be returned to the circulation desk of the library from which you borrowed. Book drops are available on each campus.
Borrowing from Other Libraries (ILL)
Borrow materials from non-OC libraries through interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan service facilitates the movement of materials between libraries. The service supplements OC Library’s resources and allows OC Library to share its resources with others.
Please note:
- ILL Notices (ready for pick-up, courtesy notice, and overdue notice) are sent to preferred email accounts
- Overdue fees are $4 per day
- All requests must be placed online
Information for OC library users
Who can make a request to borrow an item from another library?
OC students, faculty members, and staff members who do not have any outstanding Library fees.
What does a request cost?
ILL services are free of charge for eligible OC Library users.
What materials can I request?
You can request materials not available at OC Library. The lending library determines what materials are available. Typically you can request:
- Digital copies of journal, magazine, or newspaper articles
- Digital copies of book chapters
- Print Books
Placing a request does not guarantee availability or delivery. If your requested item is not available, a message will be sent to your preferred email account.
How do I place a request?
Ensure that the item you want is not available at OC Library. Check the catalogue and library databases for availability. All requests must be placed online. If the item is found in an OC Library database, but is not available in full text, click on the link to request an interlibrary loan, and follow the steps to place your request. If no information about the item can be found in a database or catalogue, place your request using the online form.
How long will it take for my item to arrive?
Arrival time depends on availability of the item, processing time, and travel time. Typically, articles delivered online will arrive via email in one to two days. Books will arrive in seven to 14 days.
How do I get my item?
Articles ordered by ILL will be delivered electronically to your preferred e-mail address. Books must be picked-up from the Campus Library you indicated on your request. A message will be sent to your preferred email account when your item is ready for pick-up. If you do not pick up your item within 10 days of receiving the pick-up notice the item will be returned to the lending library.
How long can I keep my item?
Electronic copies are yours to keep. The lending library sets the due date for books that must be returned. These items must be returned to OC Library by the indicated due date, or you will be charged overdue fines. The lending library may recall the item - ask for the item back - prior to the original due date. You will be contacted if your item is recalled.
May I renew my item?
Renewals may be available, at the discretion of the lending library. If you wish to request a renewal, contact OC Library at least five working days prior to the item’s due date.
What happens if I don’t return my item by its due date?
You will be charged $4 for every day it is overdue.
What happens if I lose or damage my item?
You will be responsible for any fees for loss or damage of borrowed materials charged by the lending library.
What if I want to request a unique item (such as microform or historical documents), or a hard to find item?
Please discuss your request with an OC librarian.
What if I want to request a video or DVD?
OC instructors are able to request video and DVDs from other institutions. Requests can be submitted using the online ILL form.
ILL Information for Other Libraries
Most items in OC library’s circulating collection are available for interlibrary loan requests. Circulating items or copies may not be available due to reasons such as availability, high use, or copyright/licensing restrictions. The ILL Policy Page for other libraries serves a guide for libraries borrowing materials from OC Library. More information for requesting libraries can be found below.
The ILL Policy Page for other libraries serves a guide for libraries borrowing materials from OC Library.
Institutions can place an interlibrary loan request via:
Loan period
Typically two weeks upon receipt. All items are subject to recall.
Renewals
Renewal requests will be considered. Request a renewal via Illume or contact OC Library Interlibrary Loan.
Sending & Receiving Copies
OC Library can send and accept copies via e-mail (ill@okanagan.bc.ca).
Cost
As per ELN and COPPUL agreements. OC Library may charge non ELN and COPPUL libraries for interlibrary loan services.
ILL Contact
Okanagan College Library - ILL
1000 KLO Road
Kelowna, B.C., Canada V1Y 4X8
Email: ill@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-762-5445 extension 4293
Fax: 250-762-9743
NLC Code: BKOC
Search Other Libraries
Other library catalogues are open to the public for searching. Students and staff may order items from other libraries at no cost through interlibrary loan.
BC Libraries
- Interior Health LibrarySearch
- Okanagan Regional Library
- Penticton Public Library
- Illume - Catalogue of BC Public, College & Institute Libraries
- UBC Library
Canadian Libraries & Catalogues
- Government of Canada Federal Science Library
- Library and Archives Canada - Library Search
- Parliament of Canada Virtual Library
- University of Alberta Library
- Voila - Library & Archives Canada (LAC) union catalogue.
Other Libraries & Catalogues
Reciprocal Borrowing
Students and staff have reciprocal borrowing privileges with UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Upon presentation of a current library card or registration papers from their home institution, OC Library will issue, free of charge, a community borrower card to students and faculty from any B.C. public post-secondary institution.
Okanagan College also has a separate reciprocal borrowing agreement with UBC-Okanagan Library. OC students, staff, and faculty are eligible for borrowing privileges at UBC libraries upon presentation of a valid OC faculty, staff, or student card.
Most B.C. public post-secondary institutions offer similar services to OC faculty and students. Refer to the CPSLD reciprocal borrowing web page.
Borrower Types, Loan Periods & Fines
Student Borrower Information
Students are defined as those enrolled in at least one OC course that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate of evaluation that is issued by the Registrar’s Office, reviewed for quality by Education Council and published in the official online OC calendar as well as students enrolled in an OC apprenticeship program.
Student Borrower Status
| Borrower Status | Annual Fee | Library Card | Start Date | End Date |
| Students (including apprenticeship students) | None | OC photo ID | Start of course(s) | 120 days after the course(s) end date |
See community user information for BC post-secondary students, Alumni students (OC/OUC), Students, hosted by OC, Participants, OC short course, Students (OC contract course).
Loan Periods & Fines
| Materials | Loan Period | Maximum Renewals | Maximum Items | Overdue Fines |
| Books, circulating reports + audio (audio CD, cassettes) | 30 days | 6 | unlimited | n/a |
| Videos (DVD, VHS) | 7 days | 6 | 20 | n/a |
| Reserve materials | 2 hrs 1 day |
0 | 4 | $ .50/hour |
| 2 days 4 days 7 days |
0 | 4 | $2.00/day | |
| Laptops | See chart below | |||
| Reference materials | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Periodicals | 7 days | 0 | 2 | n/a |
| Newspaper clippings (Local Area Files) | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Special Collections | In library use only (no photocopying permitted) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Microforms | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Interlibrary Loans* | Set by lending library | Set by lending library | Discretion of lending and OC libraries | $4.00/day |
| Media Bookings | No | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Student borrowing, renewal, holds, and request privileges are suspended for 1 or more overdue items or fines/fees of $20.00 or more. If OC Library deems an item lost or damaged, replacement cost (determined by the Library) will be charged. Items returned in good condition after the replacement cost has been paid will be eligible for a refund if returned within one year of being declared lost. *The borrower is responsible for any damage or lost fees charged by the lending library for inter-library loan items.
Laptop Loan Periods & Fines
| Loan Period | Rental Fees | Overdue Fines |
| Same day | Free | $1.00/hour |
| 1 day | $5.00 | $1.00/hour |
| 2 days | $10.00 | $1.00/hour |
| 3 days | $15.00 | $1.00/hour |
| 4 days | $20.00 | $1.00/hour |
| 5 to 7 days | $25.00 | $1.00/hour |
Faculty and Staff Borrower Information
Faculty are defined as current members of the Okanagan College Faculty Association (OCFA) and the OC BCGEU Vocational Instructors unions. Staff are defined as current members the OC BCGEU Support Staff union, OC Excluded Support Staff and OC Administrative staff, the OC President and Vice-Presidents, and any other staff contractually employed for instruction or other purposes.
Faculty & Staff Borrower Status
| Status | Annual Fee | Library Card | Start Date | End Date |
| Faculty & Staff | None | OC photo ID | Start of employment | September 30 after contract expiry |
See community borrower information for retired faculty/staff (OC/OUC) and BC post-secondary faculty/staff.
Loan Periods & Fines
| Materials | Loan Period | Maximum Renewals | Maximum Items | Overdue Fines |
| Books, circulating reports + audio (audio CD, cassettes) | 30 days | 6 | unlimited | n/a |
| Videos (DVD, VHS) | 7 days | 6 | 20 | n/a |
| Reserve materials | 2 hrs 1 day |
0 | 4 | n/a |
| 2 days 4 days 7 days |
0 | 4 | n/a | |
| Reference materials | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Periodicals | 7 days | 0 | 2 | n/a |
| Newspaper clippings (Local Area Files) | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Special Collections | In library use only (no photocopying permitted) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Microforms | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Interlibrary Loans* | Set by lending library | Set by lending library | Discretion of lending and OC libraries | n/a |
| Media bookings | Yes | 6 | 20 | n/a |
If OC Library deems an item lost or damaged, replacement cost (determined by the Library) will be charged. Items returned in good condition after the replacement cost has been paid will be eligible for a refund if returned within one year of being declared lost. *The borrower is responsible for any damage or lost fees charged by the lending library for inter-library loan items.
Alumni & Community User Borrower Information
Community users are defined as those who are sixteen years or older and are residents of the Okanagan College region* or; students of BC post-secondary institutions participating in the CPSLD Reciprocal Borrowing Policy; or Faculty/staff of BC post-secondary institutions participating in the CPSLD Reciprocal Borrowing Policy; or Okanagan College (OC)/Okanagan University College (OUC) student alumni; or Okanagan College (OC)/Okanagan University College (OUC) retired faculty/staff; or Okanagan College (OC) Regional Advisory Committee members, Program Advisory Committee members, or members of the Board of Governors; or Non-OC post-secondary students enrolled in OC hosted courses/programs; or Participants enrolled in OC personal interest short courses that receive a certificate of participation from Continuing Studies, International Education, Trades or other OC department; or Students enrolled in OC contract courses; or OC volunteer literacy tutors/participants; or K-12 school teachers within the College region*.
Loan Periods & Fines
| Materials | Loan Period | Maximum Renewals | Maximum Items | Overdue Fines |
| Books, reports + audio CD | 30 days | 6 | 5 | $ .50/day |
| Videos (DVD, VHS) | 7 days | 0 | 4 | $ .50/day |
| Reserve materials | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Laptop computers | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Reference materials | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Periodicals | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Newspaper clippings (Local Area Files) | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Special Collections | In library use only (no photocopying permitted) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Microforms | In library use only | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Interlibrary Loans* | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Community borrowing privileges are suspended for 1 or more overdue items or fines/fees of $20.00 or more. If OC Library deems an item lost or damaged, replacement cost (determined by the Library) will be charged. Items returned in good condition after the replacement cost has been paid will be eligible for a refund if returned within one year of being declared lost. *The borrower is responsible for any damage or lost fees charged by the lending library for inter-library loan items.
Alumni & Community Member Borrower Status
| Status | Annual Fee | Library Card | Start Date | End Date |
| Residents | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | 12 months from issue date |
| BC post-secondary students | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | End date of program (not to exceed 12 months) |
| BC post-secondary faculty/staff | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | 12 months from issue date |
| Alumni students (OC/OUC) | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library after e-mail application to Alumni Association. | Varies | 12 months from issue date |
| Retired faculty/staff (OC/OUC) | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | 12 months from issue date |
| Members of Regional Advisory Committee, Program Advisory Committee or Board of Governors | None |
Community borrower card issued by OC Library |
Varies | 12 months from issue date |
| Students, hosted by OC | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Start of program | End of program |
| Participants, OC short course | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library; OC Continuing Studies, Trades or other registration papers must be shown | Start of course | 12 months from issue date |
| Students, OC contract course | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library following receipt of class list or registration papers | Start of course | End of course |
| Literacy tutors | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | August 31 |
| Literacy participants | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | 12 months from issue date |
| K-12 School teachers | None | Community borrower card issued by OC Library | Varies | 12 months from issue date |
*College region comprises School Districts 19, 22, 23, 53, 67 and 83. Communities within the College region include Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm, Penticton, Revelstoke, Summerland, West Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Peachland, Princeton, Enderby, Armstrong and Sicamous.
Borrowing Information for Other Libraries
Most items in the circulating collection are available for request. The loan period is 2 weeks upon receipt, unless otherwise stated. All items are subject to recall. Renewal requests will be considered. Request a renewal via Illume or contact OC Library Interlibrary loan. Maximum items and overdue fines are not applicable. If OC Library deems an item lost or damaged, the item's current cost and a $20 processing fee will be charged. The current cost of the item (new) is determined by the Library. Items returned in good condition within six months of being declared lost will be eligible for a refund according to the current cost amount, and the Library will retain the processing fee.
Computers & Technology in the Library
Software on Computer Workstations
Computer lab software varies according to campus and the desktop chosen. IT Services maintains the software currently available. To request additional software be installed on library computers, faculty and instructors can contact their subject librarian or campus librarian.
Borrow a Laptop
Laptops are available for short term loan. The following information apply: Same day laptop loans are free, overnight loans are $5 per day; Laptops can be borrowed up to one week for a charge of $25; Overdue fines for laptops is $1 per hour.
Wifi
Guest wifi is currently unavailable on all OC campuses. Students and staff can access secure wifi by using their myOkanagan or OC employee email credentials. Further information on connecting devices or laptop can be found on the IT services website.
Connect Off-Campus
OC students, faculty and staff have access to licensed resources such as article databases from both on and off-campus. To connect to library resources from off-campus you need to begin your research from OC Library. When prompted, log in with your myOkanagan email (students) or your OC email (employees).
Library users can enable GoogleScholar LibraryLinks to access licensed content through OC Library. Follow these instructions to enable OC links in GoogleScholar.
Troubleshooting
Having difficulty accessing library resources from home, accessing your library account, or connecting to wifi? Most off-campus access issues are related to student accounts or browser caching issues. Prior to reporting a technical problem, please clear your browser cache.
Most frequently reported issues:
- Browser autofill: If you have saved your password in Moodle, it may cause problems when trying to login from off-campus. Clear all saved passwords in your Internet Browser, turn OFF autofill, then restart your browser.
- Repeated unsuccessful login attempts: If you try 15 times unsuccessfully in 5 minutes your account will have a 15 minute timeout. Please wait at least 15 minutes before trying again.
- Blocked library account: If you have outstanding fees or lost items, your library account may be blocked. Contact your campus library to resolve this issue.
Report a connection problem: If you encounter problems accessing the online databases through the Library Web Site, please contact the OC Digital Systems & Services Librarian. Include the name of the online database you were trying to access, the error message you received and the date and time you tried to access the database.