Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom!

Every time I open my wallet and spot my green and white OPL card, it brings a smile to my face.

Since my son was born in early 2024, I've attended Rosemount branch's Babytime singalong. That little weekly event was like a candle in the dark during the early tough months of being a mom! I notice that the OPL staff don't just teach songs to parents to sing to their little ones; they also make an effort to chat with attendees before and after the get-together as a means of checking in on the adults to see how they're coping with parenthood. The librarians are always ready to connect moms and dads to resources in the community if needed! I remember taking my son to the beautiful family changeroom after our first Babytime visit when I barely knew how to change a diaper properly, and spotting a discreet little poster on the wall that listed locations in Ottawa where unhoused folks can take a shower and do their laundry for free. The bulletin ended with a note that people in need should drop by the front desk if they required any more information. I was so moved and thought: Wow, these modern libraries aren't only about books. They're trying to be community anchors for all of us, as best they can with the resources they have. The staff do an incredible job keeping the library clean, tidy and welcoming for everyone no matter who they are or where they come from.

My son had awful colic. Reading on the couch with him -- even at 2 or 3 months of age -- seemed to distract him and calm him down. Colic is now a distant memory. But we continue to read together every day, and I look forward to this ritual as a way to bond with my son. We love heading to Babytime every Tuesday and coming home with a big stack of bright and beautiful books to read during the week. The library's no-limit checkout policy on books means that we sometimes will have 40-50 children's titles in our house at a given time, and on days where my son is extra keen on snuggling up to read we will literally finish the whole haul of books without taking a break. Without this no-limit policy, my son would not have access to this quality and quantity of age-appropriate literature. The OPL is directly responsible for laying the foundation of my son's positive association with reading, and I hope his love of books continues for the rest of his childhood and beyond.

In recent months I even checked out a few books for myself, although my time to read for pleasure these days is limited.

I didn't expect to rediscover the library when I became a parent, but I'm so glad I did! Libraries are honestly a triumph of civilization and we should never take them for granted.