Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

• 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, 21 days 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, 24 days 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
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  Me and My Library

  by Sal22, 25 days 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, 25 days 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
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  Our Big Night Out

  by Inez K, 25 days 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
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  A Library Family

  by NatalieN, 25 days 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, 26 days 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
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  A Magnet Pulling Us East

  by AndreaEG, 28 days 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
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  Book Banter at the Hazeldean Branch

  by Cathy O'Hearn, 28 days 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
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  Discovering so much kindness & support

  by deleanor, 28 days 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