Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

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  Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom!

  by AmandaS, about 2 years ago

  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... Continue reading

  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.
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  love borrowing e-books

  by E-books rock, about 2 years ago
  I am so hooked on borrowing e-books. I love the process, and I've been doing it for about 4 years. I've read classics, best sellers, history books, true crime, biographies. For me it is the best way to use the Ottawa Public Library

  I am so hooked on borrowing e-books. I love the process, and I've been doing it for about 4 years. I've read classics, best sellers, history books, true crime, biographies. For me it is the best way to use the Ottawa Public Library
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  Our happy place

  by SG24, about 2 years ago

  Our branch - Nepean Centrepointe - is fantastic. The staff in the children's section always make our kids feel welcome by informing them of contests, giving them stickers and crafts, reading them stories and helping them pick out books of interest. Our kids feel right at home at the OPL (in a respectful way), and we're very grateful for all the services and special events they offer. Borrowing new books feels like going shopping, except the price is always the same. Holds are easy to place and find, and the themed book packages tied up in string make selecting age-appropriate... Continue reading

  Our branch - Nepean Centrepointe - is fantastic. The staff in the children's section always make our kids feel welcome by informing them of contests, giving them stickers and crafts, reading them stories and helping them pick out books of interest. Our kids feel right at home at the OPL (in a respectful way), and we're very grateful for all the services and special events they offer. Borrowing new books feels like going shopping, except the price is always the same. Holds are easy to place and find, and the themed book packages tied up in string make selecting age-appropriate books very easy.

  Thanks to everyone at the Nepean Centrepointe branch who make it a community hub worth coming back to.
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  A place for the whole family

  by Sarah.zed, about 2 years ago

  When I was younger, my mom used to bring me and my sister to the Centrepointe library once a month (a departure from our home branch). This was always an exciting occasion because this was a library that was inaccessible to us at the time since it wasn't within biking distance, and therefore had untold treasures in it (books I've never seen). I remember I used to go to the Teen's section and go through all the books row by row, even sitting down on the ground so I could access the lowest shelves. My sister would go to the... Continue reading

  When I was younger, my mom used to bring me and my sister to the Centrepointe library once a month (a departure from our home branch). This was always an exciting occasion because this was a library that was inaccessible to us at the time since it wasn't within biking distance, and therefore had untold treasures in it (books I've never seen). I remember I used to go to the Teen's section and go through all the books row by row, even sitting down on the ground so I could access the lowest shelves. My sister would go to the children's section, and my mom to the foreign language section; we would always spend at least an hour there. Sometimes on the way home, we'd beg our mom to go to the drive through car wash, just so we could sit in line, turn the car off, and read our respective books quietly. These memories are precious to me. The library was a place we could be apart, but together.
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  From Overdrive to Libby

  by Happy stories , about 2 years ago
  I love being able to download free e-books and audiobooks. I used to use the overdrive app to read many e-books . About a year ago I found out I have cancer and had to have brain surgery. afterwards, I found it difficult to read, but discovered I love to listen to audiobooks. There is nothing like escaping into another world with amazing characters. Many people don’t know that with the Libby app we have access to not just audiobooks from the Ottawa library, but also from the Hamilton, Kingston, Mississauga and Burlington libraries as well. What an amazing source... Continue reading

  I love being able to download free e-books and audiobooks. I used to use the overdrive app to read many e-books . About a year ago I found out I have cancer and had to have brain surgery. afterwards, I found it difficult to read, but discovered I love to listen to audiobooks. There is nothing like escaping into another world with amazing characters. Many people don’t know that with the Libby app we have access to not just audiobooks from the Ottawa library, but also from the Hamilton, Kingston, Mississauga and Burlington libraries as well. What an amazing source of free entertainment.
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  OPL Allows Me To Get Schoolwork Done In A Non-Stressful and Safe Place

  by Maizie, about 2 years ago
  When I get really overwhelmed with schoolwork and I'm in my house I get very anxious and lose focus on work. What I've been doing on Sundays where I have a lot of work is take the bus to my closest library and set up to do work there. Though sometimes it's pretty full and there's not any desks left I always find somewhere and get way more done than if I was at home. Because it's quiet and there's friendly librarians I feel safe being there alone as a teenager. I always do way better on tests when I... Continue reading

  When I get really overwhelmed with schoolwork and I'm in my house I get very anxious and lose focus on work. What I've been doing on Sundays where I have a lot of work is take the bus to my closest library and set up to do work there. Though sometimes it's pretty full and there's not any desks left I always find somewhere and get way more done than if I was at home. Because it's quiet and there's friendly librarians I feel safe being there alone as a teenager. I always do way better on tests when I study at the library as supposed to anywhere else in my life.
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  desjbre@yahoo.ca

  by desjbre, about 2 years ago
  I am a HUGE fan of the Ottawa Public Library. I have used it differently over time. Now that I am retired and on a fixed income I use it to read e-books on my e-reader and read magazines online from time to time. Love it! In the past I have used it to visit museums, get video games for my adult special needs to try out and even got COVID tests when they were available.

  I am a HUGE fan of the Ottawa Public Library. I have used it differently over time. Now that I am retired and on a fixed income I use it to read e-books on my e-reader and read magazines online from time to time. Love it! In the past I have used it to visit museums, get video games for my adult special needs to try out and even got COVID tests when they were available.
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  OPL accepted a curated reading list, saved me money.

  by jo-eh, about 2 years ago

  Ten years ago, I wanted to learn more about analyzing stocks and considered taking the Certified Market Technician course (CMT). An obstacle was the cost of the books in the required reading list. I sent the list to OPL and was thanked for sending in a carefully curated list. In the following months I was able to borrow them all. I saved money, and learned what I wanted to. Since then, I have told an investment club and many people online to go look in the library.

  Ten years ago, I wanted to learn more about analyzing stocks and considered taking the Certified Market Technician course (CMT). An obstacle was the cost of the books in the required reading list. I sent the list to OPL and was thanked for sending in a carefully curated list. In the following months I was able to borrow them all. I saved money, and learned what I wanted to. Since then, I have told an investment club and many people online to go look in the library.
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  Internet

  by Allvegan, about 2 years ago
  We use the library since our family does not have internet service. We need it for forms, documents, school, appointments, purchases, recipes, etc.

  We use the library since our family does not have internet service. We need it for forms, documents, school, appointments, purchases, recipes, etc.
• Share Save money, avoid clutter, try new authors on Facebook Share Save money, avoid clutter, try new authors on X (formerly Twitter) Share Save money, avoid clutter, try new authors on Linkedin Email Save money, avoid clutter, try new authors link

  Save money, avoid clutter, try new authors

  by AllieR, about 2 years ago
  I love reading. For the past 10 months, I've been on medical leave from work and being able to borrow e-books and audiobooks has saved me. The reduced income means I can't buy all my reading materials, while at the same time I need more than usual because I'm off work. And the apps make it easy to load new material as soon as I've finished a book - and have features that improve readability when you're struggling with vision issues.

  
  

  But even in normal times, I like balancing e-books with bought books - it's a low risk way to... Continue reading

  I love reading. For the past 10 months, I've been on medical leave from work and being able to borrow e-books and audiobooks has saved me. The reduced income means I can't buy all my reading materials, while at the same time I need more than usual because I'm off work. And the apps make it easy to load new material as soon as I've finished a book - and have features that improve readability when you're struggling with vision issues.

  
  

  But even in normal times, I like balancing e-books with bought books - it's a low risk way to try out new authors, save money, and avoid clutter, while still supporting the authors.

  
  

  I love that the library teams up with other libraries for a bigger collection, and hope that they expand their digital collection further. I also love the idea of the makerspace to try out equipment I don't own and don't know how to use. Haven't done it yet, but I will as soon as I'm well enough!