Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

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  A Ray of Sunshine that follows me through life

  by Jen M, over 1 year 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

  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 of knowledge and learning the library has been. From building my first deck to healing my body, navigating heartbreak to learning new software, OPL never lets me down.

  The library is free, it's everywhere, it's accessible. Reading on the couch, listening in the car, watching on my computer or TV... I can enjoy material anywhere!

  The library is really one of the best things in life, nourishment for the soul.

  
  
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  Library on-line

  by Kfrederi, over 1 year 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!

  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, over 1 year 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

  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 have done it without the Ottawa Public Library. Here is a link to the film. Below that is a link to the Township of Rideau Lakes website which has links to all six films, including the one that just came out last Friday, Oct 18 2024.

  Link to the rest of the films:

  https://www.rideaulakes.ca/experience/things-to-do-continued/museums-heritage-sites/documentary-films
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  Skating into a second language

  by krefling, over 1 year 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

  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 week, I would don my inline skates and roll to whatever branch nearest me was doing a conversation group that day.

  
  

  Slowly but surely, I felt myself improve. Over the course of a few months, I brushed up my skills and eventually managed to land a job that I was happy with in the sector I still work today. I don't know that that would have been possible without the library.
• Share It's about community, as much as borrowing books and movies on Facebook Share It's about community, as much as borrowing books and movies on Twitter Share It's about community, as much as borrowing books and movies on Linkedin Email It's about community, as much as borrowing books and movies link

  It's about community, as much as borrowing books and movies

  by NancyP , over 1 year 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

  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 encourage everyone to explore the programs offered at their local branch -- and to speak to the staff if you have an idea for a new way to leverage your library as a community gathering space
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  Rediscovering the library after Covid

  by LaurenEav, over 1 year 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

  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 and now we visit at least a couple of times a month. Everytime we go she tells me how great the library is and I have to agree. How lucky are we as a society to be able to learn and access knowledge at no cost.

  I am so grateful for our city libraries. They are a common good of the highest order and I am so grateful it they once again have a prominent place in my family's life.
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  Where my baby learns to socialize

  by Abrina, over 1 year 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.

  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, over 1 year 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

  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 and online resources. And, I appreciate the "third space" aspect of the library as well. When my kids were younger and we lived in a tiny non airconditioned apartment going to the library to cool down was a life saver. I truly believe that the public library is the best thing about Ottawa and I recommend the services, the spaces and the events to everyone who thinks Ottawa is the city that fun forgot.
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  Ready, Set, Kindergarten! program at Ruth E. Dickinson

  by Nadia and Lia, over 1 year 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

  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 provided a safe and welcoming environment that was fun and enriching every single week, and I got to witness my daughter come out of her shell and see her confidence grow every week. By the end of the last session we went to, my daughter not only was comfortable going up to the board, but happily spoke during show and tell, too. Every week my daughter came home with so much happiness and excitement to show dad everything she learned and made at the library that day in Elizabeth's class. Elizabeth was always so sweet and kind with her and all of the children and is a true natural educator. This program will always be in my memory as a new mom as one of the best things we got to enjoy together in her early years. I will always look back on this program with fondness and nostalgia for such a fun age watching my daughter explore the world around her. Today, my daughter is so confident and much more likely to participate in similar settings or sports. Thank you so much for playing such a pivotal role in my daughter's early years!
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  Stories

  by A.C, over 1 year 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

  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, I caught sight of two friends coming up the street with books in their arms. I dashed over and demanded, "Where did you get those books?" They replied, "from the library" "What's that?" I wanted to know." They explained that it was a place where you could get books but you had to take them back. I rushed home to tell my mother about this wonderful place and asked if we could go there. She replied, "Of course", and took me to the library at the foot of our street, St. Clements Ave. at the corner of Yonge St. (Toronto). It was small, compared to many of the libraries I have known since, but to me at that time it encompassed the world and was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with libraries and librarians. It was open every day and evening, including Sundays. Of course today, with the Internet, I don't go to the library to look many things up. However, (at 92) I am a member of a book club and still love reading and make many visits to and from my local Ottawa Public Library (Cote St.) "