Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

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  Family fun

  by Selena, over 1 year ago
  

  We love going to our local public library as a family. It is a great place to connect with others in our community. We have made many new friends at story time.
  We look forward to visits at the library for many years to come.

  
  

  We love going to our local public library as a family. It is a great place to connect with others in our community. We have made many new friends at story time.
  We look forward to visits at the library for many years to come.

  
  
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  Our family library

  by Rayah2, over 1 year ago

  My family has been going to the Greenboro Library since it opened in 2006. My first child was born that year, so she grew up going with me to get books, then to toddler reading gatherings, to meet friends and have a place to go to outside the house that didn't cost any money. When my second was born, I would take out books for the older child to read constantly. We could never have afforded to buy all the books my kids have read over the years, and the games and the movies... After the kids were in school... Continue reading

  My family has been going to the Greenboro Library since it opened in 2006. My first child was born that year, so she grew up going with me to get books, then to toddler reading gatherings, to meet friends and have a place to go to outside the house that didn't cost any money. When my second was born, I would take out books for the older child to read constantly. We could never have afforded to buy all the books my kids have read over the years, and the games and the movies... After the kids were in school the library gave me classes on resume writing and how to find a job and a place to practice my French. I can literally say the library helped change our lives. My oldest is in University now, I have a great job, and now our books are mostly ebooks taken out for the kobo. What hasn't changed is that we love the library.
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  Homeschool Budget Saver

  by Kat B, over 1 year ago

  We are a homeschooling family and we love the library! There is always more to learn, more to dive into, and the resources at the public library are invaluable. If I had to buy all of the books we borrow for our children's education, we'd be broke!

  My kids come home with piles of books from each visit. This guarantees me a few minutes to myself, too.

  
  

  We are a homeschooling family and we love the library! There is always more to learn, more to dive into, and the resources at the public library are invaluable. If I had to buy all of the books we borrow for our children's education, we'd be broke!

  My kids come home with piles of books from each visit. This guarantees me a few minutes to myself, too.

  
  
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  Fuelled my love of books

  by unice5656, over 1 year ago
  I was the kid who went to the library every week and walked out with a stack of novels high enough that I had to be careful not to drop any! The library was my place to discover new authors and my portal to fantastical worlds of the imagination. Living within walking distance of a library was such a huge blessing and I can confidently say it contributed to my success in both creative writing and academics.

  I was the kid who went to the library every week and walked out with a stack of novels high enough that I had to be careful not to drop any! The library was my place to discover new authors and my portal to fantastical worlds of the imagination. Living within walking distance of a library was such a huge blessing and I can confidently say it contributed to my success in both creative writing and academics.
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  Movie night was always a special time

  by Mircea Andreescu, over 1 year ago
  When my children were young I would set out to the library and check out any DVDs for a movie night on the weekend.

  
  

  I always look back fondly over those times when the children were so happy to watch movies rented from the library, such as the Harry Potter series, the Star Wars movies, or other action or adventure type movie.

  When my children were young I would set out to the library and check out any DVDs for a movie night on the weekend.

  
  

  I always look back fondly over those times when the children were so happy to watch movies rented from the library, such as the Harry Potter series, the Star Wars movies, or other action or adventure type movie.
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  Friends of Tai Chi classes for the Community

  by Lila , over 1 year ago
  A small local group of Tai Chi practitioners, who are part of Friends of Tai Chi, wished to share this wonderful Art within the local community. There are so many wonderful long-term health benefits one can experience by learning Tai Chi; Master Moy's teachings, in particular, as the moves are adapted to improve our health.

  
  

  In collaboration with the Sunnyside Branch of the OPL, we have been able to offer bi-weekly classes for anyone interested in joining at no cost to the public. The opportunity the Library has provided us has been appreciated by so many!!

  Our initiative has been... Continue reading

  A small local group of Tai Chi practitioners, who are part of Friends of Tai Chi, wished to share this wonderful Art within the local community. There are so many wonderful long-term health benefits one can experience by learning Tai Chi; Master Moy's teachings, in particular, as the moves are adapted to improve our health.

  
  

  In collaboration with the Sunnyside Branch of the OPL, we have been able to offer bi-weekly classes for anyone interested in joining at no cost to the public. The opportunity the Library has provided us has been appreciated by so many!!

  Our initiative has been consistently attended and these classes have been ongoing for over a year now with great success. Our tea breaks and comradery during class have also helped provide an important social and educational aspect to the learning. Tai Chi supports not only the body, but mind and spirit too!

  So, many, many thanks for providing this valuable resource to help improve the health of our community at large, especially seniors!
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  A third place to read and think

  by Nelly, over 1 year ago

  I returned to the library sometime during the pandemic when the services were open again. I renewed my card and began taking out books in all formats. The branch I visit in Barrhaven is spacious, with desks, chairs, and tables available to sit and enjoy the view outside through the windows, reflect on what I'm reading, and observe a micro-community in action. It feels good to go to a public space, enjoy some alone time away from the everyday niggles, and not have to buy a coffee or my time at a table lest I be robbing a business out... Continue reading

  I returned to the library sometime during the pandemic when the services were open again. I renewed my card and began taking out books in all formats. The branch I visit in Barrhaven is spacious, with desks, chairs, and tables available to sit and enjoy the view outside through the windows, reflect on what I'm reading, and observe a micro-community in action. It feels good to go to a public space, enjoy some alone time away from the everyday niggles, and not have to buy a coffee or my time at a table lest I be robbing a business out of the chance to attract a larger crowd.

  These third spaces are crucial for our health, physical and mental. They give us some space and quietude to gather our thoughts, enjoy the words of others no matter what topic, and use the services that are on offer to us. The staff are there to help; they want their vocation (as observed through my interactions) and are eager to point out the subscriptions and privileges you enjoy by simply having your OPL card.

  Our continued presence in these places and our use of the services will ensure that the libraries receive the support they need to stay in operation. It's absurd to think that there may be a time when public libraries no longer exist, and if it were up to some administrators, that may be the case. But the library is imperative to those who want information, knowledge, community, or simply a place where you can exist for hours undisturbed, with no money leaving your pocket.

  My resolution for 2024 was to swap my book purchases online and in chain stores with donations to the library and occasionally purchases from local bookshops. It's a position of privilege for sure, but I like to think of it as an investment in social norms that bring us closer together, much like the library.
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  A Safe Haven

  by safi826, over 1 year ago
  I absolutely love the public library!! It was a safe haven for me during a seasons of unemployment where I was able to come to my local branch and sit and look for jobs without the typical distractions at home. I also have gotten into e-books this year and have deeply valued OPL's express e-book platform. Most of the books I've read this year have been on express, which means I've been able to check them out very quickly and frees up the line of holds for non-express books.

  Thank you OPL!

  I absolutely love the public library!! It was a safe haven for me during a seasons of unemployment where I was able to come to my local branch and sit and look for jobs without the typical distractions at home. I also have gotten into e-books this year and have deeply valued OPL's express e-book platform. Most of the books I've read this year have been on express, which means I've been able to check them out very quickly and frees up the line of holds for non-express books.

  Thank you OPL!
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  A learning space for my kids

  by NZL, over 1 year ago
  My daughter was diagnosed with Dyslexia a few years back. Since then, I registered her for specialized tutoring which takes place twice a week for 1hour sessions. The tutor does not have a vehicle and the trek to my place was too long through public transit. We therefore opted to meet at an Ottawa Public library that was close enough for her to walk to and close enough for me to drive to. The library has provided a warm space for my daughter to receive tutoring.

  
  

  Additionally, we always go in either an hour early or stay an hour later... Continue reading

  My daughter was diagnosed with Dyslexia a few years back. Since then, I registered her for specialized tutoring which takes place twice a week for 1hour sessions. The tutor does not have a vehicle and the trek to my place was too long through public transit. We therefore opted to meet at an Ottawa Public library that was close enough for her to walk to and close enough for me to drive to. The library has provided a warm space for my daughter to receive tutoring.

  
  

  Additionally, we always go in either an hour early or stay an hour later to complete any school homework that needs to get done as I've found that when she's in the library her mind assumes a "learning" mode and she is much less distracted than she is at home. The frequent visit to the library and the fact that she has a library card in her name, have also encouraged her to explore books and check out them out independently giving her a sense of maturity and responsibility.
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  The last safe haven where no money is spent

  by Jillian W, over 1 year ago
  Life is getting increasingly more expensive, it seems that going out to do something might set you back a few bucks!

  But the library is that one place with so much to offer, and still free to the public. Reading provides me with immense meaning in my life, and I would not be able to read the quantity that I do without the library. A hobby with no sign up fees or costs.

  I make sure that everyone I know has a library card, because there is always something it can offer to someone.

  Thank you to the librarians of... Continue reading

  Life is getting increasingly more expensive, it seems that going out to do something might set you back a few bucks!

  But the library is that one place with so much to offer, and still free to the public. Reading provides me with immense meaning in my life, and I would not be able to read the quantity that I do without the library. A hobby with no sign up fees or costs.

  I make sure that everyone I know has a library card, because there is always something it can offer to someone.

  Thank you to the librarians of OPL, you are greatly appreciated.