Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

• Share The Jewel in the Crown of City Services on Facebook Share The Jewel in the Crown of City Services on Twitter Share The Jewel in the Crown of City Services on Linkedin Email The Jewel in the Crown of City Services link

  The Jewel in the Crown of City Services

  by Matti Pringle, about 2 months ago
  As a Newcomer to Canada in 2016, the Centepoint branch of OPL provided me with a spot to study and an endless source of information/books. Before I became a Permanent Resident with the right to work, it gave me a purpose - a place to go everyday while I acclimatized to my new life in the country. Eight years later I still pop into the same branch at least once a week to pick up books and CDs, or read the music magazines. One of these days I am going to pick up one of those loaner guitars too! Ottawa... Continue reading
• Share Intrinsic on Facebook Share Intrinsic on Twitter Share Intrinsic on Linkedin Email Intrinsic link

  Intrinsic

  by Hettie, about 2 months ago
  I'd like to say how much I appreciate our libraries and I'm happy that regardless of the changes in communications and our communities local libraries continue to thrive.

  
  

  I grew up in the 1960s and 70s, a child from Scotland whose mum took her each week to the library. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of those visits. The librarians always greeted us with warm smiles and spoke to us about new books each time we came. They introduced us to Canadian culture and encouraged us to learn about local flora and fauna, impressing upon us our responsibility... Continue reading
• Share OPL: Comfortability and Appreciation on Facebook Share OPL: Comfortability and Appreciation on Twitter Share OPL: Comfortability and Appreciation on Linkedin Email OPL: Comfortability and Appreciation link

  OPL: Comfortability and Appreciation

  by BrettT1024, about 2 months ago

  Over the years I’ve used my local public library for assistance in printing and finding books for academic purposes. The library services I’ve utilized have helped greatly in working toward my university degree and was much needed as a quiet place to study and focus on my assignments. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to utilize these library services that have helped me in my goal of obtaining a career in social work. Thank you, OPL.
• Share tonywohlfarth@gmail.com on Facebook Share tonywohlfarth@gmail.com on Twitter Share tonywohlfarth@gmail.com on Linkedin Email tonywohlfarth@gmail.com link

  tonywohlfarth@gmail.com

  by Antonio8069, about 2 months ago
  My story about the OPL is not a happy one. I use my public library extensively. Yet their are aspects of the day to day operation of the OPL which do not sit well with me:

  - the Chief Librarian goes on CBC to sing the praises of the OPL. Never acknowleding the need to improve!

  - the acquisition of new material i.s slow and unrespnsive, My efforts to streamline it have been frustrated by an attitide of nobles oblige/father knows best;

  - the OPL does not have a coherent policy on the unhoused, They are welcome in house while... Continue reading
• Share How could you reach this person? on Facebook Share How could you reach this person? on Twitter Share How could you reach this person? on Linkedin Email How could you reach this person? link

  How could you reach this person?

  by Willa R., about 2 months ago
  When I was a child in 1950s Toronto I loved going to the library with my mother (starting at the age of 2). We learned about the dewy decimal system at school and every June the whole class was marched over to our local branch to take out 10 books for the summer. The library was part of our lives - a huge source of entertainment and information.

  
  

  I know there have been huge changes since then - the internet, newcomers from many different cultures, television, etc. But I was surprised and saddened a couple of years ago when I... Continue reading
• Share Part of my community on Facebook Share Part of my community on Twitter Share Part of my community on Linkedin Email Part of my community link

  Part of my community

  by Suzanne M, about 2 months ago

  For me, when I think of the Ottawa Public Library, I think of it being convenient and easy to access. I love that my branch has a great walkability score and is part of my community. I have been going to it for years for books, for services and for events. I have also introduced friends and colleagues to the resources and services available. Sadly, this will end when my branch is shuttered in favour of the "Central" Branch. The result for me will be that I will read less and I will no longer use library services (other than... Continue reading
• Share How do I do this. on Facebook Share How do I do this. on Twitter Share How do I do this. on Linkedin Email How do I do this. link

  How do I do this.

  by Gunsgt, about 2 months ago
  We arrived in Ottawa in 1984. Bought a house then set I into making it our home.

  
  let’s see we need curtains and we just don’t have the money to purchase a premade product. But we can get enough of the end of the roll to make our own. My spouse had a sewing machine but didn’t know Its workings. Off to the library to find books on how to sew. So we measured and cut and pinned and sewed the material into curtains.
  
  Later we acquired two side chairs whose fabric was ugly green and faded. Can we fix... Continue reading
• Share An Underrated Luxury on Facebook Share An Underrated Luxury on Twitter Share An Underrated Luxury on Linkedin Email An Underrated Luxury link

  An Underrated Luxury

  by dani.a, about 2 months ago

  From a young age, I have harbored a deep love for books, yet growing up in my country, access to them often felt like a luxury. Popular series like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries, and Percy Jackson were nearly out of reach unless one traveled abroad or knew someone who could bring them back. My favorite fiction novels could only be obtained after long flights and significant expense.

  Now, as an international student in Canada, I cherish the privilege of having a vast array of books readily accessible. This newfound accessibility is something I will never... Continue reading
• Share I quit TV! on Facebook Share I quit TV! on Twitter Share I quit TV! on Linkedin Email I quit TV! link

  I quit TV!

  by Allison13, about 2 months ago
  Several years ago now, I gave away my TV and cancelled my streaming services. I figured I was getting more than enough screen time through my work.

  I set a challenge of reading 52 books per year. Thanks to the amazing collection of books and audiobooks available through the OPL, I've met my goal year over year. I read every day: to learn, to unwind, and to get lost in the stories. Thanks OPL.
• Share OPL is there for my family! on Facebook Share OPL is there for my family! on Twitter Share OPL is there for my family! on Linkedin Email OPL is there for my family! link

  OPL is there for my family!

  by ECMI, about 2 months ago

  Our family's time with the OPL started with Babytime at the library, which was such a lovely way of spending time with other babies and parents. We still have the first books our kids were given from the St. Laurent branch Babytime program!

  Now that our kids are in school, we are at the library weekly to get a new batch of books. Whatever they are interested in, we request and pick up. We'll also browse the shelves and get whatever looks good! We go through so many books and complete series, having the library is such a blessing! Our... Continue reading