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 Covid comfort on Facebook Share Covid comfort on Twitter Share Covid comfort on Linkedin Email Covid comfort link

    Covid comfort

    by Louise Stewart , about 1 month ago
    During the pandemic, the library offered online zoom cooking classes. They were a great way to connect with people and have an event to look forward to. During one of the sessions the chef was doing his prep work and mentioned that he was using his favourite knife, which was from Lee Valley. Everyone that I knew that had signed up for the course Ordered the chef’s knife from Lee Valley! It’s an excellent knife and I have bought several as gifts for my family. I would not have known anything about it, had it not been for the library... Continue reading
  • Share My Lifelong Journey with the Ottawa Public Library on Facebook Share My Lifelong Journey with the Ottawa Public Library on Twitter Share My Lifelong Journey with the Ottawa Public Library on Linkedin Email My Lifelong Journey with the Ottawa Public Library link

    My Lifelong Journey with the Ottawa Public Library

    by Winston L, about 1 month ago

    From the time I was a child, the Ottawa Public Library has been a cherished part of my life. It was a place where I could immerse myself in stories and explore any topic that sparked my curiosity. The library provided me with invaluable resources (i.e., a wealth of books, access to printers, and the internet) which were essential throughout my schooling and education. The welcoming spaces and helpful staff made it a second home where learning was always encouraged.

    Now, as a parent of two young children, I continue to treasure the library as we visit together to discover... Continue reading

  • Share Nurturing my love for Canadian Lit on Facebook Share Nurturing my love for Canadian Lit on Twitter Share Nurturing my love for Canadian Lit on Linkedin Email Nurturing my love for Canadian Lit link

    Nurturing my love for Canadian Lit

    by SunnyF, about 1 month ago
    The collection at OPL has rarely, if ever, lacked a book that I looked up. I have been able to rekindle my love of reading and access more books by Canadian authors. I feel more connected to the literary world with my library card, and I have gotten back into doing something I love. I am very grateful for the ability to access so many resources and stories without going broke by buying every book in the world.
  • Share For the love of reading on Facebook Share For the love of reading on Twitter Share For the love of reading on Linkedin Email For the love of reading link

    For the love of reading

    by Sabrina D, about 1 month ago

    The Orleans OPL at Tenthline Road was a memorable place for me and my children. Being an avid reader, I wanted my young children to follow suite. Fulfilling my wish, they started to learn to read at the little age of four. Although adults now my daughters have not stopped their thirst for paper backed books even at this day and age where technology is taking over all aspects of literature. I will narrow my story to one of my kids who was into reading so passionately, that I used to borrow 10-15 children’s books at every visit, yes, we... Continue reading

  • Share A Journey Through Pages: A Library Tale on Facebook Share A Journey Through Pages: A Library Tale on Twitter Share A Journey Through Pages: A Library Tale on Linkedin Email A Journey Through Pages: A Library Tale link

    A Journey Through Pages: A Library Tale

    by Claudia Moura, about 1 month ago

    Once upon a time, in a new neighborhood she had just moved into, a new mother discovered a magical place filled with stories waiting to be told—the Hazeldean Library. With a tiny bundle of joy cradled in her arms, she ventured into the world of books, where the air was filled with the gentle whispers of pages turning and laughter echoing during the storytime sessions.

    Each week, as she and her baby entered the library, it felt like stepping into a storybook. The vibrant colors of the children's section beckoned them, and the friendly librarian greeted them with a smile... Continue reading

  • Share The best place to stay connected with a changing World on Facebook Share The best place to stay connected with a changing World on Twitter Share The best place to stay connected with a changing World on Linkedin Email The best place to stay connected with a changing World link

    The best place to stay connected with a changing World

    by ARamirez, about 1 month ago

    All my life I have had so many questions! I have questions about myself, my family, my community, my city, my country, and the World in general. I love having questions because they push me to look for answers, and the more I try to find an answer, the more I see that I now new questions.

    At the Ottawa Public Library I have found many resources that help me answer many questions, but also I have found material that entice me to ask new questions and it's the search for answers that keeps me going to the library.


    The... Continue reading

  • Share I have saved thousands of dollars thanks to the library on Facebook Share I have saved thousands of dollars thanks to the library on Twitter Share I have saved thousands of dollars thanks to the library on Linkedin Email I have saved thousands of dollars thanks to the library link

    I have saved thousands of dollars thanks to the library

    by wageslave, about 1 month ago
    I use the library to save money to read fiction, non-fiction and play video games. They are also comfortable and clean respites in person with water and bathrooms.
  • Share A Place of Discovery on Facebook Share A Place of Discovery on Twitter Share A Place of Discovery on Linkedin Email A Place of Discovery link

    A Place of Discovery

    by JB2, about 1 month ago
    Libraries are a place of discovery. Nestled within their walls, knowledge, advice, comfort and wonder are there for you to discover. The many branches of the Ottawa Public Library have always given me the chance to discover what I needed. Whether it was my first fantasy book as a child, launching me into worlds that I am still passionate about today, to new research articles that were the foundation of my university projects, to enticing video games that I otherwise would not have had the chance to enjoy.


    I grew up in the library and discovered so much. So go... Continue reading

  • Share Boredom saver on Facebook Share Boredom saver on Twitter Share Boredom saver on Linkedin Email Boredom saver link

    Boredom saver

    by Unreasonablewomyn, about 1 month ago
    I am a senior and by choice (somewhat) prefer to live a life of solitude, however, last year it became pretty much not a choice anymore as I developed leukemia. I have have sleep disorders, so I can be ready to go at midnight and I can never plan an outing as I do not know what shape I will be in during the day, so I go out very little, so I have turned to the Ottawa Public Library for e-books and read 100s of books a year. I will never read the same book twice, and I could... Continue reading
  • Share Thank you OPL, especially Rideau branch and ILL team on Facebook Share Thank you OPL, especially Rideau branch and ILL team on Twitter Share Thank you OPL, especially Rideau branch and ILL team on Linkedin Email Thank you OPL, especially Rideau branch and ILL team link

    Thank you OPL, especially Rideau branch and ILL team

    by SerenityQ9000, about 1 month ago

    When I first came to the library to set up my card at the library, they were so welcoming and helpful with setting it up, and orienting me to OPL. I also loved that they gave out free totes for newcomers during the Oct month. Over the course of the year, both Rideau branch team and ILL have been amazing, helpful and patient.


    Libraries are so important to have for our communities because they are really here for everyone, making sure to be there when you need them, and going above and beyond. Being able to have a place to... Continue reading

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