Community, collaboration, cultural outreach

When the children were pre-readers, they enjoyed the kiddy corner and the curated selections. The aquarium tank at the local branch was a bonus, and inspired us to try a small version at home.

They enjoyed the LEGO building events, to meet other neighbourhood children, and when there were older, did the chess in the library on weekends, for the student-volunteer led program. This inspired a re-boot their middle school’s chess club, as their school just installed outdoor chess tables in the yard.

We also saw a tea ceremony at a local branch, inspiring us to engage in pottery to make our own cups.

Further on, as avid participants of the TD Summer reading club, in both English and in French.

During lockdown, as they used e-readers to keep engaged with school work, leisure and after the re-opening, found inspiration to submit as ‘awesome authors’ for the Pot Pourri, the FOPLA supported publication for young and aspiring local writers, artists and poets.

Their debut as published young scribes in English, and later in French, made the journey from readers to writers and artists a transformative evolution from consumer to producer as high school students.

The OPL is a community network that reflects and encourages growth, reflection and inspires changes.

As a parent who participated in the series of community consultations with the design firm for the new main branch, I hope this feeling of integration and inspiration can continue.