Me & My Library

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Shaping the future of Ottawa Public Library service plans

Help shape Ottawa Public Library’s future. We're collecting stories to understand how the library and its services have made a difference in your life.

We want to know what you love about the library and how the library could better serve you.

Your stories, collected here and in branches across the city, will guide the development and evaluation of library services.

You can find additional information about the library's service plans at the following link: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/service-delivery-framework

Shaping the future of Ottawa Public Library service plans

Help shape Ottawa Public Library’s future. We're collecting stories to understand how the library and its services have made a difference in your life.

We want to know what you love about the library and how the library could better serve you.

Your stories, collected here and in branches across the city, will guide the development and evaluation of library services.

You can find additional information about the library's service plans at the following link: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/service-delivery-framework

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

Is it the friendly faces and support? The feeling of endless possibilities? The space to do what you need to get done? Whatever it is, the library wants to know. Share your original art, photos, stories, poems, videos, or whatever feels right.

Share your story, help shape ours.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Share Innovating technology to bring board games to life on Facebook Share Innovating technology to bring board games to life on Twitter Share Innovating technology to bring board games to life on Linkedin Email Innovating technology to bring board games to life link

    Innovating technology to bring board games to life

    by gkholman, about 2 months ago

    The Imagine Space at Centrepoint has nurtured my imagination and led me to explore new approaches in the use of certain technologies used worldwide. So much so, that the annual Declarative Amsterdam conference has accepted a paper I've written about my ideas and experiences. I am traveling to Amsterdam to present my paper Friday morning, November 8, 2024: https://Declarative.Amsterdam/program ... you can download the paper from the PDF link at the bottom right corner of https://declarative.amsterdam/article?doi=da.2024.holman.play-ball for the details. In the paper I acknowledge the accessible laser cutters provided to all patrons by the Ottawa Public Library as providing me... Continue reading

  • Share The Library saved my life: the chronicles of a brand-new denizen of the Ottawa public library scene on Facebook Share The Library saved my life: the chronicles of a brand-new denizen of the Ottawa public library scene on Twitter Share The Library saved my life: the chronicles of a brand-new denizen of the Ottawa public library scene on Linkedin Email The Library saved my life: the chronicles of a brand-new denizen of the Ottawa public library scene link

    The Library saved my life: the chronicles of a brand-new denizen of the Ottawa public library scene

    by Robert McBryde, about 2 months ago

    “A room without books is like a body without a soul” -Marcus Tullius Cicero

    For more images, please click here:

    https://robertmcbrydeauthor.com/the-library-saved-my-life/

    Growing up in Georgetown, Ontario in the 1950s and 1960s, bookishness was far from Godliness, a definitely liability, especially for a red-blooded Canadian boy. And I was a rotund little fellow, far from red-blooded, commonly referred to as ‘Porky’, ‘Chub’, or ‘Fatso’, frequently bullied, a candidate for the fate of Piggy in Lord of the Flies.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_the_Flies

    I looked like Lumpy Rutherford when I wanted to resemble Steve McQueen.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumpy_Rutherford

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen

    So to escape the slings and arrows of... Continue reading

  • Share Me and My Library on Facebook Share Me and My Library on Twitter Share Me and My Library on Linkedin Email Me and My Library link

    Me and My Library

    by Sal22, about 2 months ago

    You wrote that you want to know about the moments when the library made a difference in my life. Every time I walk through the doors of the Greely branch my life is enhanced. The person at the front desk sees me, smiles, and if not otherwise engaged, gets up to move a chair close to the desk so I can sit while speaking with her. (I walk with two canes; standing is unpleasant.) She takes care of the books I am returning, and retrieves any the library is holding for me. I scan the books on the Express shelf... Continue reading

  • Share In response to the Ottawa Public Library’s request for library experiences: on Facebook Share In response to the Ottawa Public Library’s request for library experiences: on Twitter Share In response to the Ottawa Public Library’s request for library experiences: on Linkedin Email In response to the Ottawa Public Library’s request for library experiences: link

    In response to the Ottawa Public Library’s request for library experiences:

    by K. Barbara Lambert, about 2 months ago

    My father got me a card for the Saint John library when I was twelve, but I never used it, because we left that city soon afterward.

    My father got me my next library card when I was thirteen. We had just moved to the City of Westmount, P.Q., and my card entitled me to use the Westmount library, which is on the edge of Westmount Park. It is an imposing building. I was directed to the Children’s Section. There I remember reading Busy, the Life of a Bee, The Wizard of Oz (and its sequel - which was disappointing)... Continue reading

  • Share Our Big Night Out on Facebook Share Our Big Night Out on Twitter Share Our Big Night Out on Linkedin Email Our Big Night Out link

    Our Big Night Out

    by Inez K, about 2 months ago

    I have two sons who are now pushing 40. When they were young children I was working full time. Our evening visit to the Sunnyside Branch of the Ottawa Public Library was the highlight of the week - our big night out. The routine was always the same - we went to the children's section in the basement and after an hour or so they made their selections for sign-out. On one of these nights, my 3 year old decided that he really did not want to go home. Upstairs by the check-out desk, he lay down on the floor... Continue reading

  • Share A Library Family on Facebook Share A Library Family on Twitter Share A Library Family on Linkedin Email A Library Family link

    A Library Family

    by NatalieN, about 2 months ago
    I accompanied my mother to the 90th anniversary of the Rosemount Branch in 2008 (or 2009?). She was there as the oldest known patron of that Branch, having obtained her card 75 years earlier! And my first job was at the Rosemount Branch. I was a Grade 10 student in the mid-70s and had long been on the list to get that cherished position. I was thrilled to be working there, placing books back on the shelves after their return.
  • Share Lifelong love of reading on Facebook Share Lifelong love of reading on Twitter Share Lifelong love of reading on Linkedin Email Lifelong love of reading link

    Lifelong love of reading

    by Elizabeth D, about 2 months ago

    My love of libraries and reading started in my little hometown, where we had a public library I could walk to (and borrow a stack of hardcover Nancy Drew books practically taller than I was). Each summer, there was a children’s reading club with stickers, bookmarks, trivia questions, and a fun theme.

    When I moved to Ottawa for university, there were a few years where I mostly used the uOttawa library and read my many English Literature books for my degree. But I still got a city library card and would occasionally borrow books. I think it was around 2018... Continue reading

  • Share A Magnet Pulling Us East on Facebook Share A Magnet Pulling Us East on Twitter Share A Magnet Pulling Us East on Linkedin Email A Magnet Pulling Us East link

    A Magnet Pulling Us East

    by AndreaEG, about 2 months ago
    Our journey to the Ottawa Public Library began ten years ago when our daughter moved to the city to attend the University of Ottawa. We encouraged her to get an OPL library card because students need to be able to read for pleasure while studying as well.

    About five years later we heard about Adisoke being built. Interestingly enough we had just visited Halifax and were so impressed with their library that we vowed if we ever moved from our home in central Ontario it would have to be to a city with a library like Halifax. We watched the... Continue reading

  • Share Book Banter at the Hazeldean Branch on Facebook Share Book Banter at the Hazeldean Branch on Twitter Share Book Banter at the Hazeldean Branch on Linkedin Email Book Banter at the Hazeldean Branch link

    Book Banter at the Hazeldean Branch

    by Cathy O'Hearn, about 2 months ago


    I have been a Library card holder since my family moved to Kanata in 1987. My children grew up with weekly visits to the Library for books. My children are now grown and have moved away; but, they still hold a deep love of reading due in part to their Ottawa Public Library experiences. The Ottawa Library continues to be an integral part of my life and the Kanata community.

    I have been a member of the Hazeldean Branch Book Banter for 20+ years. For the last 17 years I have been the Book Banter facilitator. We are a lively... Continue reading

  • Share Discovering so much kindness & support on Facebook Share Discovering so much kindness & support on Twitter Share Discovering so much kindness & support on Linkedin Email Discovering so much kindness & support link

    Discovering so much kindness & support

    by deleanor, about 2 months ago

    After losing vision in one eye from a blood clot, I decided to ask one of our librarians how to use their audiobooks on my computer & smartphone. A one hour appointment was arranged within that week to teach me how. This lifted my spirits so high and helped me through a difficult time. "Hanging out", showed me that the nature of the library was quickly changing to a place for discussion and support where so much kindness is shown to young and old patrons alike.Often seniors are given the opportunity to teach their skill to excited children, so that... Continue reading

Page last updated: 04 Nov 2024, 11:15 PM