Me & My Library

What does Ottawa Public Library mean to you?

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• Share So many great resources on Facebook Share So many great resources on Twitter Share So many great resources on Linkedin Email So many great resources link

  So many great resources

  by CitizenSteve, about 19 hours ago

  The library is a tremendous public resource which I am very grateful for. While I always love a good book, the diversity of media available is great, and I really enjoy the music and movies on offer as well.

  
  

  The digital collection in particular is something I get a lot of use out of. E-books are what I mostly use, and while old fashion books are also nice, the convenience of the digital collection is amazing, especially with the partner libraries.

  
  

  I don't have any specific suggestions for future improvements, beyond continuing to maintain a relevant, diverse, and up-to-date collection... Continue reading
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  My favourite public service

  by re_discover, about 22 hours ago

  The Ottawa Public Library means a lot to me. To name a few examples:

  
  

  - It helped me rediscover my love of reading after high school.

  - The librarians are kind and friendly and help me set up my Kobo so that I can borrow e-books.

  - During my lunch break at work, I could use the internet to check my emails when I was job and apartment searching.

  - I was able to borrow audio books to listen to when I underwent eye surgery.

  - I joined a book club and attended a wide range of events... Continue reading
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  A lifeline

  by Hyla, 1 day 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
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  My favourite place.

  by hereiam, 1 day 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
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  a lifelong love of the library!

  by LauraDorse, 2 days 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!
• Share Avid Cumberland Branch User on Facebook Share Avid Cumberland Branch User on Twitter Share Avid Cumberland Branch User on Linkedin Email Avid Cumberland Branch User link

  Avid Cumberland Branch User

  by SpunkyMcQuarie, 3 days 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
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  Fergie

  by Fergie, 3 days 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
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  Exploring Our Family History

  by Philemel, 3 days 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
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  A World Leading into Other Worlds

  by La Lionne, 3 days 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.
• Share Community, collaboration, cultural outreach on Facebook Share Community, collaboration, cultural outreach on Twitter Share Community, collaboration, cultural outreach on Linkedin Email Community, collaboration, cultural outreach link

  Community, collaboration, cultural outreach

  by CuppaTea, 3 days 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