Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

• Share A lifeline on Facebook Share A lifeline on Twitter Share A lifeline on Linkedin Email A lifeline link

  A lifeline

  by Hyla, over 1 year ago

  I love the Ottawa Public Library! I cannot say enough about how it contributes to my quality of life. The OPL gives me access to such a wealth of stories, information, entertainment and life-changing experiences. It allows me to learn, to smile, to grieve, to grow, to travel, and to connect with others. It's fair to say it has been a lifeline at times when I have really needed it.

  Though I have always loved libraries, the OPL is on another level. I have lived in other parts of Canada, in the UK and in the Middle East, and the... Continue reading

  I love the Ottawa Public Library! I cannot say enough about how it contributes to my quality of life. The OPL gives me access to such a wealth of stories, information, entertainment and life-changing experiences. It allows me to learn, to smile, to grieve, to grow, to travel, and to connect with others. It's fair to say it has been a lifeline at times when I have really needed it.

  Though I have always loved libraries, the OPL is on another level. I have lived in other parts of Canada, in the UK and in the Middle East, and the OPL has by far the best selection and range of collections. I am repeatedly impressed with the books, ebooks, and audio books I can find from all over the world at OPL. It is truly an amazing collection that continues to feed users' hearts and heads.
  
  Thank you to the OPL, you are an indescribably important part of my life.
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  My favourite place.

  by hereiam, over 1 year ago

  Visits to the library form some of my most cherished childhood memories. It's been a resource I loved as a child and continued to use and benefit from into adulthood. To me, the library is a vehicle for freedom from ignorance, financial hardship, isolation and boredom. You can learn so much, gain new experiences, access resources to advance your career, find support, find out what's going on in your community, find out what's going on in the world -- and I am forever grateful that it's all free.

  My parents moved here from China and are old enough to have... Continue reading

  Visits to the library form some of my most cherished childhood memories. It's been a resource I loved as a child and continued to use and benefit from into adulthood. To me, the library is a vehicle for freedom from ignorance, financial hardship, isolation and boredom. You can learn so much, gain new experiences, access resources to advance your career, find support, find out what's going on in your community, find out what's going on in the world -- and I am forever grateful that it's all free.

  My parents moved here from China and are old enough to have experienced the aftermath of the cultural revolution.They moved here to give my siblings and I a better life and part of that was getting us the education they couldn't have and another part was saving as much as possible to give us a good future. We couldn't afford books, yet, because of the library, we always had our nose in books. We couldn't afford cable but who needs TV when you could spend hours reading and using your imagination instead? We couldn't speak the language of the land with our parents, but with the help of the library, we became proficient in English - even more so than some native speakers. And as we grew older and more distant from our heritage, the library offered opportunities to get back in touch with it and relearn some of the language we lost through their multicultural offerings online and in-branch.

  To me, the library also represented my parents' love for us. We didn't do "I love you" or hugs, but my dad would take us to the library every week no matter how tired he was. He knew we loved reading and finding new books. I think about that every time I pass by my local branch.
  
  I'm now a middle-aged adult with a stable well-paying career that allows me to take care of my parents. I attribute much of my success to the love of knowledge I gained from the library. And should the tide ever turn against my favour, I know I can rely on this resource again to help learn new skills, find a healthy escape from the burdens of reality, and access support and resources that can help me rebuild.
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  a lifelong love of the library!

  by LauraDorse, over 1 year ago

  As soon as I could print my own name, I was allowed to get a library card. And I have been frequenting the library ever since! From storytime and picture books to young adult novels to reference books for school projects, and now e-books for pleasure, the library has been there for me every step of the way! Public libraries are for our communities and I am very thankful to have such an excellent resource in the City of Ottawa. Especially my dear Sunnyside branch!

  As soon as I could print my own name, I was allowed to get a library card. And I have been frequenting the library ever since! From storytime and picture books to young adult novels to reference books for school projects, and now e-books for pleasure, the library has been there for me every step of the way! Public libraries are for our communities and I am very thankful to have such an excellent resource in the City of Ottawa. Especially my dear Sunnyside branch!
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  Avid Cumberland Branch User

  by SpunkyMcQuarie, over 1 year ago

  Hello,

  I want to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff at the Cumberland Branch of the Ottawa Public Library for their helpful and caring disposition. I have been an avid user of this OPL Branch for many years: for job searching activity, personal study, relaxed reading, scanning, printing, and even to borrow a musical instrument or two.

  The staff are the absolute best. I have, on many occasions, observed their willingness to extend themselves to help a new immigrant who may require an added bit of help using the services initially, an elderly person on the computer, and... Continue reading

  Hello,

  I want to take this opportunity to thank the amazing staff at the Cumberland Branch of the Ottawa Public Library for their helpful and caring disposition. I have been an avid user of this OPL Branch for many years: for job searching activity, personal study, relaxed reading, scanning, printing, and even to borrow a musical instrument or two.

  The staff are the absolute best. I have, on many occasions, observed their willingness to extend themselves to help a new immigrant who may require an added bit of help using the services initially, an elderly person on the computer, and just how simply kind they are in their dealings with their public.

  I have NEVER witnessed frustration on their part, regardless of how busy the library may be or how many children may be exploring the premises; they manage to maintain order and civility while being completely cordial.

  I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to them all.

  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  
  
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  Fergie

  by Fergie, over 1 year ago
  I LOVE libraries! I have since I was able to read by myself and probably long before that when my parents read to me. We did not have extra money to buy books so our weekly trip into town to go to the library was such a wonderful highlight of the week for me.

  As a grown up with children of my own, I instilled that same love of reading and libraries in my children. We knew all the librarians by name in every city we lived in and were so grateful for their kindness, book recommendations, programs and knowledge.

  ... Continue reading

  I LOVE libraries! I have since I was able to read by myself and probably long before that when my parents read to me. We did not have extra money to buy books so our weekly trip into town to go to the library was such a wonderful highlight of the week for me.

  As a grown up with children of my own, I instilled that same love of reading and libraries in my children. We knew all the librarians by name in every city we lived in and were so grateful for their kindness, book recommendations, programs and knowledge.

  I have had a number of health issues and it was the library I always turned to to keep me entertained whether with "real" books or listening on Libby. Kept me sane and helped me heal. Lol.

  Thank you so much for everything you do.

  
  

  Sheila Ferguson

  
  

  
  
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  Exploring Our Family History

  by Philemel, over 1 year ago
  

  We are so lucky to have our own "personal" librarian - our granddaughter works in one of the branches. Just after she began working there, I was going through some family memorabilia and found an intriguing photo. It was of my Dad and his sister, standing behind a tiny child's gravestone. Based upon their apparent ages in the photo, it was likely taken in 1922, in Mount Royal Cemetery (see photo). We had heard of Ancestry as a research tool, and our granddaughter pointed out that we could use the library resources to find out more. And use of the... Continue reading

  We are so lucky to have our own "personal" librarian - our granddaughter works in one of the branches. Just after she began working there, I was going through some family memorabilia and found an intriguing photo. It was of my Dad and his sister, standing behind a tiny child's gravestone. Based upon their apparent ages in the photo, it was likely taken in 1922, in Mount Royal Cemetery (see photo). We had heard of Ancestry as a research tool, and our granddaughter pointed out that we could use the library resources to find out more. And use of the Ancestry site was free to me as a library member. As a bonus, our granddaughter guided us through the research. What we were able to find out helped open other paths to more information about our family.

  Having this resource at the library to do more genealogical research is a wonderful blessing, and I hope more people are made aware of its advantages.
  
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  A World Leading into Other Worlds

  by La Lionne, over 1 year ago
  I've been in libraries in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Continental countries. Each chance to visit a library is a gift. I've read, researched, written, and worked in libraries, gaped at exhibitions, attended concerts, listened to lectures, watched films, been amazed and delighted, lost in admiration and bent double with laughter. Libraries are wonder-full.

  I've been in libraries in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Continental countries. Each chance to visit a library is a gift. I've read, researched, written, and worked in libraries, gaped at exhibitions, attended concerts, listened to lectures, watched films, been amazed and delighted, lost in admiration and bent double with laughter. Libraries are wonder-full.
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  Community, collaboration, cultural outreach

  by CuppaTea, over 1 year ago
  The atmosphere in our local and main branches has always been warm, engaging and supportive.

  When the children were pre-readers, they enjoyed the kiddy corner and the curated selections. The aquarium tank at the local branch was a bonus, and inspired us to try a small version at home.

  They enjoyed the LEGO building events, to meet other neighbourhood children, and when there were older, did the chess in the library on weekends, for the student-volunteer led program. This inspired a re-boot their middle school’s chess club, as their school just installed outdoor chess tables in the yard.

  We also... Continue reading

  The atmosphere in our local and main branches has always been warm, engaging and supportive.

  When the children were pre-readers, they enjoyed the kiddy corner and the curated selections. The aquarium tank at the local branch was a bonus, and inspired us to try a small version at home.

  They enjoyed the LEGO building events, to meet other neighbourhood children, and when there were older, did the chess in the library on weekends, for the student-volunteer led program. This inspired a re-boot their middle school’s chess club, as their school just installed outdoor chess tables in the yard.

  We also saw a tea ceremony at a local branch, inspiring us to engage in pottery to make our own cups.

  Further on, as avid participants of the TD Summer reading club, in both English and in French.

  During lockdown, as they used e-readers to keep engaged with school work, leisure and after the re-opening, found inspiration to submit as ‘awesome authors’ for the Pot Pourri, the FOPLA supported publication for young and aspiring local writers, artists and poets.

  Their debut as published young scribes in English, and later in French, made the journey from readers to writers and artists a transformative evolution from consumer to producer as high school students.

  The OPL is a community network that reflects and encourages growth, reflection and inspires changes.

  As a parent who participated in the series of community consultations with the design firm for the new main branch, I hope this feeling of integration and inspiration can continue.

  
  
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  Self Empowerment

  by Riddhi Mody, over 1 year ago
  

  The library has become not just my personal retreat for self-improvement, but also our family’s cozy escape during cold winters. It's the perfect spot to satisfy my curiosity, dive into new things, and grow at my own pace. Plus, it’s a great way to step away from the endless scroll of social media and really focus on myself. There’s something peaceful about being surrounded by books—it’s like a spa for the mind. And spending time there, both alone and with my family, has been so empowering and grounding for all of us.

  
  

  
  

  The library has become not just my personal retreat for self-improvement, but also our family’s cozy escape during cold winters. It's the perfect spot to satisfy my curiosity, dive into new things, and grow at my own pace. Plus, it’s a great way to step away from the endless scroll of social media and really focus on myself. There’s something peaceful about being surrounded by books—it’s like a spa for the mind. And spending time there, both alone and with my family, has been so empowering and grounding for all of us.

  
  

  
  
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  Changed continents for this kind of libraries!

  by Salma RI, over 1 year ago

  I’m not exaggerating!

  People seem to underestimate the benefit of having a welcoming space that is cool in summer, warm in winter, has drinkable water, clean toilette, and super friendly staff. A place to sit in peace and have access to plethora of books, games, and pretty much anything to keep you and your family busy and entertained FOR FREE!!

  I used to live in a country where having plenty of books, especially for kids, either means you’re crazy rich or you own a bookstore!

  We literary came here for the libraries. As an avid reader, I found myself devouring... Continue reading

  I’m not exaggerating!

  People seem to underestimate the benefit of having a welcoming space that is cool in summer, warm in winter, has drinkable water, clean toilette, and super friendly staff. A place to sit in peace and have access to plethora of books, games, and pretty much anything to keep you and your family busy and entertained FOR FREE!!

  I used to live in a country where having plenty of books, especially for kids, either means you’re crazy rich or you own a bookstore!

  We literary came here for the libraries. As an avid reader, I found myself devouring books, because well, I have to return them. But the most significant impact was on my son; coming here not knowing how to read or write in English, OPL definitely changed that. When I first learned that we can borrow as many books as we wanted to, well, I didn’t go shy, No Sir! I have borrowed as many as I could. From the very first reading level, to now level 3, my 6-years-old son goes through the bunch of books we get from the library like a bullet train.

  OPL not only makes a difference in our lives, it’s the air we breath. We are grateful.

  Thank you to the pillars of creation and back.