Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

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• Share Shaped my teenage and young adult years on Facebook Share Shaped my teenage and young adult years on Twitter Share Shaped my teenage and young adult years on Linkedin Email Shaped my teenage and young adult years link

  Shaped my teenage and young adult years

  by rallee, about 2 hours ago

  There wasn't much to do in Stittsville when I was a kid, but the library was a short bike-ride away and best of all: free. My parents never minded if I were to run out of the house yelling "I'm going to the library!" It was a frequent occurrence in the summer time, and I would borrow as many books as I could carry home to read all summer long.

  When I was a teen, I loved having access to the music library; I would listen to a set of CDs, make up dances, and lay in my bedroom singing... Continue reading
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  Brain Fog

  by elspeth54, about 3 hours ago

  A library five minutes away from home is essential to my health and well-being. Stopping by to browse, pick up a Hold, perhaps attend a program, or simply spend some time reading in a lovely environment, is always a welcome gift, available almost any day of the year. The library is a vital space for seniors, especially those living alone, for anyone facing a life-limiting illness, and for caregivers. Isolation can literally kill you, and there are many experiences in life that can lead to loneliness.

  A close friend of mine was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, and the... Continue reading
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  Team work

  by mvg_0, about 3 hours ago

  Good afternoon, we use the Ottawa Public Library Auditorium in downtown Ottawa as a gathering space for large meetings. We bring our group together to present information, listen to each other and meet those who may not be located downtown. It's a great space to hold award presentations, outside agencies and just to simply come together in one space. The Auditorium has been a valuable resource over the years - it's great.
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  Libraries Save Lives

  by NMarbles, about 3 hours ago

  I don’t know where my love of libraries started. My love of books started early. By the time I was 12, I was reading things way too inappropriate for a girl my age; King, VC Andrew’s, TeenBeat 😂 (Thats’s showing my age but it was 1987 🤷‍♀️) I was skipping school to hang out at the local library when I was in grade 8. My high school English teacher gifted me a book of poems graduating year and I studied English at Carleton. So, I’ve always loved books and their many houses. When I moved to Barrhaven 19 years ago... Continue reading
• Share I am the books I read on Facebook Share I am the books I read on Twitter Share I am the books I read on Linkedin Email I am the books I read link

  I am the books I read

  by Garry B., about 3 hours ago

  I started school at age six in Chatham Ontario. I walked the half-mile to Central School and because I had already learned to read, I crossed the street to the local library and was a regular borrower of children's books. I remember enjoying Raggedy Ann and Andy and, until I left Chatham for college, I was a regular visitor to the Chatham library. By age twelve I was in love with science fiction and devoured the newly published works of Heinlein, Asimov, and Bradbury, to name a few.

  Now, as an octagenarian here in Ottawa. my taste is in nonfiction... Continue reading
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  A Cradle to Grave Community Resource

  by meimaa, about 4 hours ago
  Entering motherhood, I worked part-time and took my two children to the Rosemount branch library regularly for baby and toddler time programs with Jennifer. We enjoyed participating in the programs, checking out books and meeting other parents and children from the neighbourhood. It is such a valuable meeting place for parents who may feel isolated at home with young children.

  My children continued to visit the library on their own as young children, became too cool for it as teens and are now making their way back to different branches to browse the shelves.

  I went back to working full-time... Continue reading
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  Learning a new language

  by Rachel Strohm, about 4 hours ago

  The library has been an especially important resource to me over these past few months. I recently moved to Ottawa from South Western Ontario where I had zero exposure to French. Moving to Ottawa I quickly realized how common it is for citizens to know both languages. I enrolled myself in French classes, and part of my process has been to check out early French reader books from the library every week. At $10+ a book this is something I would never afford to do if I was having to purchase these books. The library has been a pivotal resource... Continue reading
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  My Third Place

  by oliviaslin, about 4 hours ago
  Growing up, drawing was something very fun and a great pass time for my friends and I. We did anything in our power to stay inside during middle school recesses to draw. A large majority of our recesses involved staying indoors in our schools library to draw, make comics and tell funny stories.

  
  

  As we moved into high school, we found we had less time to spend with eachother in this type of way. We realized that the Ottawa Public Library was a great place to spend time together after school. We would take out fashion books, drawing books, cooking... Continue reading
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  rebguenette@gmail.com

  by RebLast, about 4 hours ago
  Last fall, I discovered Libby, OPL's electronic lending service, and have been using it continuously. What a wonderful service! I can listen to audio books and rent e-books without ever having to leave home! As a member of Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton, I've also spoken at events sponsored by the OPL. This provides a wonderful way for Master Gardeners to expand our reach and better serve the community of Ottawa gardeners. Many thanks to OPL for all that you do. - Rebecca Last-Guenette
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  Safety Net

  by Donelda Joan, about 4 hours ago
  As an 82 year old now,having moved to Ottawa just 6 years ago, and being a voracious reader on a limited budget,I really appreciate the Bookmobile stop outside my door. I can drive now but someday I won't be able to & I'm grateful that books that stir my mind will still be easily accessed.