Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

• Share A Ray of Sunshine that follows me through life on Facebook Share A Ray of Sunshine that follows me through life on Twitter Share A Ray of Sunshine that follows me through life on Linkedin Email A Ray of Sunshine that follows me through life link

  A Ray of Sunshine that follows me through life

  by Jen M, about 2 months ago
  What a wonderful idea, collecting library stories! There are so many way to talk about the library, I don't know where to start.

  
  

  My first library, as a child (thank you Mum for signing me up!), was the Dorval Library. Is this why I love brutalist architecture? That squat white concrete building with wrought iron fountain outside in the courtyard. Didn't it have everything? All the Judy Bloom books, anyway!

  In Ottawa, I have been from west to east over the decades and enjoyed so many branches. The thing that is foremost in my mind is what an endless source... Continue reading
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  Library on-line

  by Kfrederi, about 2 months ago
  I discovered Libby, Ottawa library’s on-line app pre-pandemic, but during and after, I have really made the most of it. Like most people, I have too many things to do during business hours, but love to read to unwind in the evening. Being able to download books and audiobooks for a bedtime wind down is one of the most important ways I take care of myself. Thanks OPL for providing many accessibility options to fulfill the joy of reading!
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  OPL history books help make my historical documentary films

  by A-Historian, about 2 months ago

  Over the past few years I have made a series of six short historical documentary films for the Township of Rideau Lakes. For each of them, I have relied upon the great collection of OPL historical nonfiction books to do my research. For my film about a WWI temporary cottage hospital for soldiers suffering from PTSD, I relied heavily on several OPL books by historian, Tim Cook, about the First World War. I got a nice comment on YouTube from Tim Cook about my film. And subsequently, I won the Ontario Historical Society's President's Award for the films. I couldn't... Continue reading
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  Skating into a second language

  by krefling, about 2 months ago

  I was a barista making minimum wage. I loved my job, but I was slowly working through my savings and the cafe was going under. I knew I wanted to transition to a new career, but I was limited by my French language skills. I needed real life practice. I didn't have the money for courses.

  
  

  So I started going to the French conversation groups at the library. First I went to one near where I lived. I liked it - interesting people and real life experience - but I needed more. I buckled down: three or four days a... Continue reading
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  It's about community, as much as borrowing books and movies

  by NancyP , about 2 months ago

  Rosemount Library has always been a place where I can find new "communities" when i needed them most. Back in 2000, when I was a new Mom and on maternity leave, I attended Jennifer's Babes in the Library on Wednesday mornings, where I met and connected with other Moms -- many of whom have remained friends. Now that I'm retired, I find myself once again at Rosemount, to knit on Wednesday afternoons and to write every second Friday afternoon. Today, my library is a place where I can make new friends and feel a deeper connection to my neighbourhood.

  I... Continue reading
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  Rediscovering the library after Covid

  by LaurenEav, about 2 months ago

  Before the pandemic, visiting the library was a regular occurrence for our family, just as it was for me growing up. But after the COVID restrictions were implemented and for many years after, we just stopped using the library. It fell off as part of our routine.

  Then in early 2023 one day when my daughter (then 11) was bored I offered to take her to the library for something to do. She was quite literally AMAZED when she remembered this beautiful resource existed, and better yet, it was free. I think she signed out a dozen books that day... Continue reading
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  Where my baby learns to socialize

  by Abrina, about 2 months ago
  I am a first time mom and it was tough in the beginning. The library is where my baby and I socialize with other babies.
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  OPL - the best part of Ottawa

  by Sarah H-AL, 2 months ago
  My family and I visit the library at least once a week. We often have a variety of books on hold for us: cookbooks and graphic novels for me, novels, non-fiction, and DVDs for my husband and children's literature for my kids (starting with picture books when they were young and now moving on to teen titles). And actually we also borrow switch games and CDs. We use services such as Kanopy and Mango languages. With all of this I feel like the library has enriched my life in so many ways. I so value the amazing collection of physical... Continue reading
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  Ready, Set, Kindergarten! program at Ruth E. Dickinson

  by Nadia and Lia, 2 months ago

  The Ready, Set, Kindergarten! program at the Ruth E. Dickinson branch has been such a valued resource for my toddler and I over the past year or so. As a pandemic baby, my daughter's exposure to social settings was slim for the first 2 years of her life, with delayed speech. From the very first session, I felt welcomed and my daughter grew more and more comfortable each week. As a stay at home mom, these sessions provided me with a sense of community. Words could never be sufficient to describe my immense gratitude for this program and Elizabeth. She... Continue reading
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  Stories

  by J.M, 2 months ago

  I would be delighted to share my library story with you. At present, I'm waiting to hear if my book, "Ladies Don't Do That: Memoir of an Olympian" (Friesen Press, 1953) will be accepted into the Ottawa Public Library collection. In addition to describing my life of an athlete competing internationally in the nineteen fifties, I talk about important people, places and experiences that were influential in my life. The following excerpt from my memoir tells about one of these (Part I, Chapter 1).

  "We never had many books in our house. One day, when I was six or seven,... Continue reading