Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

• Share The best public service in Ottawa on Facebook Share The best public service in Ottawa on Twitter Share The best public service in Ottawa on Linkedin Email The best public service in Ottawa link

  The best public service in Ottawa

  by Global reader, about 2 months ago
  Ottawa Library is by far the best experience in Ottawa for me: there are many branches so it is easy to get services across the city; it delivers books where it is convenient for us and in format that is convenient, it offers such pleasant space to come with a family and check books, games, do Teasure Hunt! or to work on a computer and benefit from AC on a hot day. It is possible to rent tools or rent a room for a meeting! The list of services and benefits to users goes on. All in all, it is... Continue reading
• Share A place for everyone on Facebook Share A place for everyone on Twitter Share A place for everyone on Linkedin Email A place for everyone link

  A place for everyone

  by smr, about 2 months ago
  The library is truly one of my favourite places in the city. We always have several books checked out for every member of our family, and we check out DVDs and CDs as well. I have discovered new authors and new TV shows and movies while browsing the library shelves, and I often place holds on items too. I have brought my kids to many library events, from babytime and storytimes when they were young to March Break activities for teens. There have been many adult events that I have attended as well -- I even facilitated an event at... Continue reading
• Share A place I raised my kids and more on Facebook Share A place I raised my kids and more on Twitter Share A place I raised my kids and more on Linkedin Email A place I raised my kids and more link

  A place I raised my kids and more

  by Busy Bee, about 2 months ago
  When I moved back to Ottawa from 18 months in a rural setting, newly separated with a baby, I felt alone and defeated. We lived in a small apartment and had little money and no friends with kids. I started bringing my son to Storytime and often other times during the week as well. The librarians soon knew us by name and often put aside books of interest for us. it was the main branch so right in Centretown and t really became an important part of our life.

  As our family grew, different programs entertained the children such as... Continue reading
• Share A new lease on books.... on Facebook Share A new lease on books.... on Twitter Share A new lease on books.... on Linkedin Email A new lease on books.... link

  A new lease on books....

  by JREN, about 2 months ago

  I had to give up my life-long habit of bedtime reading when I had a cornea surgery that prevented me from reading without a large hard contact lens. I didn't dare fall asleep with my contact in, it could cost me my eye! Several years passed until I discovered Libby and audiobooks. Game changer! Suddenly I had:

  • waitlist management and holds
  • inter library loans
  • themes and suggestions

  I always have a stream of audiobooks coming in - I drive to them, sleep to them, exercise and work to them - even choring!

  
  

  Best tax dollars I ever spent - thanks!
• Share The day I discovered a public library and free books on Facebook Share The day I discovered a public library and free books on Twitter Share The day I discovered a public library and free books on Linkedin Email The day I discovered a public library and free books link

  The day I discovered a public library and free books

  by Ingrid McCarthy, about 2 months ago

  I’ve been a huge fan of public libraries since my early teenage years and, since moving to Ottawa in 1979, the Ottawa Public Library has been one of my favourite places in town. My children’s fantasy trilogy, among others, can be found on their shelves and I’ve promoted the library to children when reading to them at their schools. Allow me to share with you an excerpt from my post-WWII childhood memoir “I Stood Among The Ruins And Cried” which is set in Germany. Emmi, in the excerpt, was my elementary school teacher. She lived around the corner from my... Continue reading
• Share A Home away from Home on Facebook Share A Home away from Home on Twitter Share A Home away from Home on Linkedin Email A Home away from Home link

  A Home away from Home

  by BookWorm69, about 2 months ago

  I've been using the Ottawa Public Library my whole life.

  As I a kid I would go there to learn to read and discover just about anything.

  As a teenager I would go there to work on projects and check out books pertaining to the many interests I had and still have.

  As a young adult I would go there to use the study cubicles and get lost in learning with the books and free wifi.

  As a parent I go there with my kids to check out books for my lifelong learning endeavor and encourage my kids to get... Continue reading
• Share Audiobooks on Facebook Share Audiobooks on Twitter Share Audiobooks on Linkedin Email Audiobooks link

  Audiobooks

  by Cathie Elmgren , about 2 months ago
  I love being able to book audiobooks from the Ottawa Library. I am glad to finally have access to the CL app since it never worked before for me. I have sightbissues and hearing loss so i love being able to borrow audiobooks that connect into my hearing aids. I love being able to put items on hold and choose whennto borrow them. I just wish more books would be available in audio format. Thank you for a great service for seniors.

  Cathie Elmgren
• Share No Books, to Books, to eBooks, to Audio Books. on Facebook Share No Books, to Books, to eBooks, to Audio Books. on Twitter Share No Books, to Books, to eBooks, to Audio Books. on Linkedin Email No Books, to Books, to eBooks, to Audio Books. link

  No Books, to Books, to eBooks, to Audio Books.

  by TSKanata, about 2 months ago

  I grew up in a very rural region where access to public library systems was not convenient for borrowing/returning books. When I moved into my first city, a library card was one of my first priorities. Later I moved to Ottawa and again a library card was a priority. When eBooks became available, I jumped onboard even though I live 200 meters from an Ottawa library branch. The relationships between Ontario libraries (Ottawa, Mississauga, Burlington, London and Hamilton) have expanded my online selection so I'm never at a loss.

  For the last 10+ years audio books have been part of... Continue reading
• Share The Library Saved My Life on Facebook Share The Library Saved My Life on Twitter Share The Library Saved My Life on Linkedin Email The Library Saved My Life link

  The Library Saved My Life

  by Axel, about 2 months ago

  I have used libraries for my entire life....I love books...I had some serious eye problems nearly 3 years ago at age 75 and I am not able to watch television, read books, perform computer duties or research or do any eye movement for more than 2-3 minutes at a time..I discovered audio books and thanks to the assistance I received from the Centerpointe library, I got set up and am rarely seen without my air buds! This wonderful option has saved me from mental boredom, allowed me to accept my limitations and made my housework very enjoyable.

  I also used... Continue reading
• Share Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom! on Facebook Share Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom! on Twitter Share Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom! on Linkedin Email Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom! link

  Thanks to OPL Rosemount Branch from a new mom!

  by AmandaS, about 2 months ago

  Every time I open my wallet and spot my green and white OPL card, it brings a smile to my face.
  
  Since my son was born in early 2024, I've attended Rosemount branch's Babytime singalong. That little weekly event was like a candle in the dark during the early tough months of being a mom! I notice that the OPL staff don't just teach songs to parents to sing to their little ones; they also make an effort to chat with attendees before and after the get-together as a means of checking in on the adults to see how they're... Continue reading