At its meeting on November 15, 2010, the OPL Board approved the existing Beaverbrook Branch as the site of the West District Library. For further information about the project, click here.

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Barbara Clubb and MPP Yasir Naqvi

On Thursday, November 29, 2012, MPP Yasir Naqvi honoured Barbara Clubb, former City Librarian and CEO of the Ottawa Public Library, with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her promotion of literacy and life-long learning in our community.

MPP Naqvi stated, “Barbara is a gifted librarian and devoted educator, who instills excitement and an eagerness to learn in almost every person she comes in contact with. I feel privileged to be able to present her with the Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her passion and dedication.”

Barbara was named the Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the former Ottawa Public Library in 1995, and was appointed City Librarian and CEO when the library was amalgamated on January 1, 2001, a position she held until her retirement earlier this year. During her career she has volunteered her time and efforts to a number of advocacy organizations in her role as President of the Manitoba Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, and the Canadian Association of Public Libraries. She has also held executive positions with the Canadian Urban Libraries Council and the Chief Executive Officers of the Large Public Libraries in Ontario. Through her leadership and expertise, Barbara has been able to help libraries across the country manage the challenges that these institutions have faced in recent years.

Upon acceptance of the medal, Barbara shared, “Every librarian knows about the remarkable teams that make library service possible: library staff, library board members, library volunteers, and library benefactors. It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated and passionate people across Canada and around the globe. I receive this honour on behalf of my professional community, a group that touches and helps to improve the lives of millions of citizens and their communities every day.”

Barbara’s dedication, tenacity, and her love of the written word have been of enormous benefit to our city. She understands the link between libraries, literacy and life-long learning, and believes in their importance to building a stronger community that benefits us all.

The 40-year-old main branch of the Ottawa Public Library is due for a renovation in order to accommodate its patrons’ changing needs. The space lacks public meeting and gathering spaces and is unable to meet the technological demands of modern library users. In response to these concerns, the facilities and planning committee has recommended a renovating the space to create a “redesigned and refreshed” branch.

Read the full story at the Ottawa Citizen

In the meantime, please consider making an end-of-year gift to the Foundation, to assist it in supporting the Library’s programs and collections.

Hunter McGill, Chair

Ottawa Public Library Foundation Board

A customer sent a thank you note recognizing the wonderful service provided by Julia Brunet, Circulation Assistant:

“Je remercie cette dame pour sa compétence et pour sa gentilesse.  Elle m’a beacoup aidé dans mes recherches.  Je remercie Madame Julia Brunet de son enthousiasme contagieux. „

Carlingwood:

A patron submitted this piece about her friend’s gratifying experience at the book club with Janet Leak, Children’s Programmer and Public Service Assistant:

“My friend has so very much enjoyed her years doing the book club with Janet Leak.  She was a very late reader and had only read a few novels on her own at the point at which she was encouraged to sign up for the book club so that she could keep up with her new found love of reading.  When she came home from her first book club, she had her next month’s book plus more books and she said, “Janet thinks that I might like these ones too, but she doesn’t know that I don’t really know how to read very well!” Each month, she read the book club book and one or two other books that were passed along to her.  Joining the book club really was the turning point in her reading ‘career’ and bolstered her confidence. She’d always thought there was something wrong with her and that she was ‘slow’. It turns out that she was just a late-ish bloomer (wasn’t fluent until 9.5/10) and some of her very favourite memories took place at the book club.  Over the past few years, she’s become someone who reads constantly, and I do feel that you had a lot to do with that, so thank you!„

Greenboro:

A mother who home schools her children sent the following note to Jessica Green, Supervising Librarian, Greenboro Branch, thanking her for providing an educational and entertaining Storytime:

“Hi Jessica, I just wanted to thank you again and let you know how thrilled everyone was with the library group this morning.  I am really glad we had such a great turn out of keen families.  So, thanks again for all the time and work you put into this and for being such a great storyteller and guide to the kids this morning. Everyone was very happy and impressed.  Looking forward to moving ahead with this.„

Homebound Services:

We received two donations from a Homebound borrower – one for $50 for the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library and one for $76.45 for the School Supplies program (Sharing in Student Success) with this note:

“Your services are so much appreciated.  The books become friends and there are so few things a person can do without hassle or judgment – and free!  They bring joy and fun and sometimes challenge.  They live dreams we are not able to pursue or think we can’t pursue until we also find help in those same books. The service is so very appreciated.„

Homebound Service plays a very important role in this woman’s life.  She is recovering from a brain injury and reading helps her with that rehabilitation. There have been times when, in conversation, communication becomes difficult for her and instead of speaking the words, she will sing them – this seems to help her get her point across.

Main:

One of the Main Branch’s customers who appreciates library services shared these kind words:

“For some six months now I have paid particular attention to the managerial quality of this library and what exactly it takes to run it efficiently, from the public perspective. I have come to only one conclusion and that is that the library is very well run and managed and serves the public well.„

North Gloucester:

“J’apprécie les services offerts à la bibliothèque Gloucester nord.  Pierre (Desaulniers) est tellement gentil et serviable, comme le sont, en fait, tous les préposés!!  Mélanie (Sutherland), superviseure aux prêts, offre aussi un excellent service – j’ai eu recours à ses services récemment lors d’une situation délicate, et elle a grandement aidé.  Félicitations pour cette bonne équipe!„

Orléans:

A customer who was grateful for service received at the Orléans Branch (special thanks to Sylvie Perfetti, Diane Lacasse, Eleonora Loso) took the time to share his recent experience:

“Ms. Désormeaux, I located your address on the Library website and your title suggested to me that I should direct my comments to you.  If I am in error, I trust that you will be kind enough to forward my comments to the appropriate individual.  I would like to commend three staff members at the Orléans Branch for their assistance in resolving a somewhat unorthodox situation to my complete satisfaction.  Their behaviour was totally exemplary and a perfect example of the type of service that should be the norm across the entire Library system.

I do not remember all the names of the individuals involved but I believe that I spoke to the Branch Manager, the Circulation Manager and my initial point of contact, whose name is Sylvie.  I’m sure she would be happy to supply the names of the other two ladies that were so helpful.  Sylvie listened carefully to my recitation of the situation that concerned my son, asked a few clarifying questions and then immediately proceeded to speak to the Circulation Manager.  This individual very quickly spoke to me and also asked some very pertinent and helpful questions and then referred the situation to the Branch Manager.  The Branch Manager spoke with me and suggested a completely satisfactory solution to me.  I very gratefully accepted her suggestion and we quickly completely resolved the issue.  I hope I have identified these wonderful individuals correctly.  This occurred today between 3:00 and 4:00.

I would like to state that throughout the entire time that I was speaking with these ladies, they were very understanding, very concerned, very courteous and very empathetic to what I had to say.  They indicated that they would do all in their control to reach a solution and they did just that.  My family and I are very thankful for their efforts and I believe that they should all be commended in some way available to Library executives such as a mention in newsletters or other internal communication and, of course, that my comments should be noted on their record.  Thank you for your prompt action on this situation.„

Rideau:

A customer at Rideau branch had experienced difficulty in connecting to the public wireless network for a long time.  Digital Services employee Adina Szalai was able to assist this customer in connecting over the phone, and the customer was tremendously appreciative of her assistance.

Stittsville:

A customer shared her positive experience at the Stittsville Branch:

“I just wanted to take a second to thank and congratulate the staff at Stittsville who pick out books for the display shelves. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that every visit I make to return an item, or to pick up something specific, I’ll be lured away from the checkout line by the display shelves around the checkout counter. I invariably wind up taking home something interesting and unexpected… Kudos, and please keep up the excellent work. I love my branch!„

St-Laurent:

Feedback from a satisfied customer with respect to the branch’s new digital signage:

“Love the new wall screen that is always revolving and well lit up at the front entrance of the St-Laurent Branch.  It is so well laid out as it flips through the different ads and sessions offered at the branch.  Thank you for putting up the library hours there too.  This screen is so helpful for those of us who sometimes forget to pick up the flyers along the Information Desk and again, it is so up-to-date and informative.„

 After branch staff responded to her initial email, the customer wrote back with the following feedback:

“Thank you for your reply to me about my compliments to the new digital sign at the St-Laurent Branch.  I do enjoy any Ottawa Public Library branch, but the St-Laurent Branch, I say is my home branch where I can relax for hours.  There is nothing like finding that instant “gotta start reading this book right now” book on the shelves and finding a comfy seat to do that.  It is nice to see in so many branches that they offer comfortable seating in a more quiet area of the branch where someone could do just that – “sit down right there” and start to read.  And each branch seems to have just the right number of seats for the library members who come in.  It is always refreshing to sit down and read in that quiet spot in all libraries all across our city.  Thank You.„

As part of its “Unforgotten Ottawa” series, URBSite has written about Ottawa’s first public library, which opened in 1906. Click here to view photos of Ottawa’s Carnegie library and read about its history.

Despite the apparent cheery tone of the recent engineering report on the condition of the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library, its regular clientele can attest that it does not meet their needs nor does it provide a suitable venue for delivery of knowledge-related activities and services. Use of the term “showcase” doesn’t add much to the important discussion which we should have about the need for a new main branch, as it suggests a facility that emphasizes pizzazz over substance. Currently the main branch of the library has very little to distinguish it from other large branches of the Ottawa Public Library.

Much has been learned since the present main library was built, and modern main libraries reflect that, in Vancouver, San Francisco, Edmonton, Halifax and Salt Lake City. These facilities support knowledge development and lifelong learning and serve as essential hubs for well-functioning library systems. As the population of the urban core of Ottawa grows, the new residents need a modern facility to support them, as well as to serve as the anchor of an efficient city library system.

It is time to stop discussing how many or how big are the Band-Aids required to keep the current main branch staggering along, or making do, for the next 20 years, as Chianello puts it. Let’s take a bold step and commit seriously to a new main branch of the library, one that responds to users’ requirements and reflects our vision of Ottawa as a dynamic, world-class city.

Hunter McGill, Ottawa, Chairman, Ottawa Public Library Foundation

This letter originally appeared in Ottawa Citizen

The Information Desk team at the Alta Vista Branch received a nice note of appreciation from a customer for providing help sorting out some computer issues:

“I want to thank the librarians at Alta Vista for helping me.  I needed Mac computer info and I did not have the intelligence to ask for help.  The librarian picked up on my frustration and was a great help.„

Carp:

A customer at the Carp Branch filled in a Comments and Suggestions card that reads:

“Staff is so polite, and the facilities are amazing.  Always a pleasant experience.„

Carlingwood:

One of the OPL’s devoted volunteers reflected on how much fun the Teen Advisory Group is:

“I have been out of town for the summer and just got back!! I would love to stay involved with the teen advisory group because it’s always a fun and creative experience for me :) I had a blast last year, really feeling as if my ideas and contribution made a difference, which made me feel really alive. I really hope it isn’t too late to get back to you, and that you are still able to keep me on your list! Have a great rest of the summer.„

Centennial:

A regular customer who is moving to Germany said:

“Thanks Linda!  I am going to miss my visits to the library.  You guys make it a fantastic place to come to!„

Emerald Plaza:

One library patron shared a few friendly suggestions:

“I love coming to the library and what was my favourite part about it?  Well I loved and enjoyed the summer program and I loved the scavenger hunt but a thing you should do is have more books and the Internet on the computers is a little slow.  Other than that, I love to come every day and love manga club.  Thanks to all the staff especially Jessica and Julie.„

Greenboro:

A customer of the Greenboro District Library thanked Angela Madore (Children’s Programs and Public Service Assistant) for the summer programming:

“Thank you for all the nice programs this summer, Angela.  I find that they compliment the school curriculum very well and enrich their education during the summer months.„

Hazeldean:

A thank you note forwarded to Melissa MacFarlane, Public Service Assistant, reads:

“Hello Melissa, thank you so much for all the assistance you gave us today.  It was wonderful.  I’ll enjoy the audio books for sure and the little guy will spend lots of time with the books you have picked out for him.  Once again, hats off to you and your team!„

Homebound Services:

Homebound Services received two donation cheques in the amount of $50 and $150 respectively, with nice thank you cards attached.

Manotick:

The branch had a blank “scribbler” on a table in the kid’s section for kids to draw.  The following poem was found:

“The library is the place to be,

It offers wisdom and it’s great for me!

I need more of that and more of this,

And love the feeling, it’s just like a kiss!„

(Unsigned)

Nepean Centrepointe:

After a regular customer passed away, this note was received from the long term care home where he lived:

“To all of you at the Ottawa Public Library who took a special interest in Walter Chvatal, many thanks to all of you from all of us here at Extendicare Starwood, for your help and co-operation in seeing that Walter’s passion for reading and life-long learning continued, despite his move to long term care. The fact that he had so many friends looking out for him at the other end of his travels put us at ease every time he left our Home. Thank you for caring.„

Rideau:

An appreciative customer, visiting when the branch was short staffed, wrote:

“Last night I visited the Rideau Library Branch and it was busy.  There was still a chair for me to sit and browse through the books that I had taken off the shelf.  I admire the Rideau Library staff members after a long weekend, as there was a long line-up at the desk where you check out your books and other items.  The line moved very fast and the staff was very happy to look after each and every one of us.  I would like to say how professionally they worked and how much I appreciated getting the books that I had stopped in to pick up last night.  I had never seen such a line in a library before, but it moved along well as we all waited to checkout our items. The Rideau Library is a smaller branch, but I would like to say thank you for providing great customer service to us and thank you for working through such a long line yesterday.  I do appreciate it.„

Stittsville:

An OPL customer commented on book displays at the Stittsville Branch:

“I just wanted to take a second to thank and congratulate the staff at Stittsville who pick out books for the display shelves. It’s almost a foregone conclusion that every visit I make to return an item, or to pick up something specific, I’ll be lured away from the checkout line by the display shelves around the checkout counter. I invariably wind up taking home something interesting and unexpected… Kudos, and please keep up the excellent work. I love my branch!„

Vernon:

Vernon staff members were commended for their exemplary customer service:

“I have been utilizing the library services via the Vernon Branch for the past 25 years and could not be more satisfied.  I don’t read as much as I used to but nevertheless, I still order and pick up books on a regular basis.  I really want you to know that the services I have received in all this time from the staff there have been exemplary.  I am now in the process of moving out of the Vernon area and will continue to use the library in the area of Barrhaven.„

The library received a note of sincere appreciation for the services offered by the bookmobile:

“On behalf of the Michele Heights Tenant Association and the Michele Heights Community House, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation for your generous efforts in providing us with a bookmobile and story time at our Canada Day event at Michele Heights Park on June 29, 2012. This has greatly enhanced our efforts to provide the community’s first BBQ of the year while at the same time connecting children and parents to services and resources at the Public Library. It is through partnerships such as these that we are able to continue having a positive impact on the quality of lives of families living in low-income neighbourhoods such as Michele Heights and neighbouring communities. We have acknowledged your contribution in our monthly newsletter and our website under Community Corner. Once again, thank you from all of us here at Michele Heights!„

Carlingwood:

A customer comment card submitted at the Carlingwood Branch reads:

“First, all staff at Carlingwood and elsewhere are very pleasant and professional. Thank you for all of the services available at OPL. I really like the DVD tower on the first floor of Carlingwood. It makes choosing a DVD easier and the ones displayed give one food for thought – in other words, suggestions for future loans. Thank you everyone! As always, great work.„

Greenboro:

This thank you note was delivered to Jessica Green, Supervising Librarian, and Lise Dumas, Children’s Programming & Public Service Assistant, from a teacher at Blossom Park Public School:

“Thank you very much for the library presentation that you and Lise provided for the students of Blossom Park this week. The students LOVED it and the teachers were thrilled with it too. I hope many of the students at Blossom Park will visit the public library this summer and participate in some of the wonderful activities that the library has planned.„

Main:

At the Main Branch a patron commented on the exceptional service she received:

“I wish to compliment the great team at the Main Branch. They are friendly, competent, and always ready to assist with an extremely professional disposition. The suggestions for reading material based on my checked out items have given me a lot of food for thought and introduced me to a repertoire of authors and subject matter I would not otherwise have been aware of. Thank you for offering such fantastic service and excellent client care.„

Manotick:

A message was left on the paved entrance way to Manotick Branch following a school visit from St. Leonard’s Catholic Elementary School. Approximately 60 children from the first grade, including 12-15 adults/teachers visited the branch on June 21. The children expressed their admiration for the library by writing “YOU ARE LOVED” on the pavement.

Nepean Centrepointe:

One patron wanted to recognize quality client service:

“Just wanted to comment on the excellent customer service I received today. I found Sherri to be so helpful in every way and she answered all of my questions. Look forward to coming back for a visit soon.”

A regular patron wrote this short note out of appreciation for the book displays on the second floor:

[blockquote]The Librarian picks are always excellent – on the 2nd floor.„

Rosemount:

The Rosemount Branch Information Desk had this sweet story to share:

“A young girl approached the Information Desk and submitted an envelope. It contained $35, which she
raised at a lemonade stand at a neighbourhood party on Canada Day. Her Mom said that it was good lemonade, but that people were particularly generous knowing that she wanted to donate the money to buy books for the Rosemount Branch.„

Ruth E. Dickinson:

 Barrhaven Public School expressed true appreciation for Amanda Spargo, Children’s Programming & Public Service Assistant:

“Dear Mr. Westenbroek, I just wanted to send you an email on behalf of Barrhaven Public School (BPS) saying how very much BPS has appreciated Amanda Spargo’s visits to our school (JK-gr.5) this year. In fact, each year her book talks, promotion of summer programs, and explanation of the various OPL library media resources and upcoming workshops are highly anticipated. In all seriousness I can say that staff clamour to have her speak to their students. And, whether she is explaining about a library card, how the summer programs work, what clubs or services are available, or showing off some great new reads, she holds the children’s attention, no matter what sex/level. Her presentations are dynamic and engaging, and the staff really appreciate her expertise as well. Indeed it is hard to get the classes to leave as each session ends, as so many have questions or comments for her. She makes the students so eager to explore the library and the wonderful resources she’s told them about. Our sincere thanks to the OPL for allowing her to do this vital outreach work.„

Hazeldean:

A regular participant in Toddler Time expressed her delight in the program with this note:

“I attended “Toddler Time” at the Hazeldean Branch over the past year and would just like to pass on that Tracey Facchin, Children’s Programming & Public Service Assistant, does an absolutely amazing job. She greets each child and learns the names of the regulars. She is able to accurately judge the mood of the children and modifies the stories/songs to appropriately entertain them. She has very high energy and a cheery and upbeat personality. The children and parents love her. More and more people show up as word goes around about how wonderful “Toddler Time” is with Tracey.„

Rideau:

A customer at the Rideau Branch offered this feedback:

“I like the Rideau Branch of the Ottawa Public Library. It is convenient for me and find that I make frequent trips to the library when I am looking for information. Without the library it becomes harder for me to find another location.„

Rosemount:

Congratulations to staff at Rosemount Branch who have recently been “unofficially” nominated for the Stars of the City Customer Service program. A soon-to-be resident of Ottawa visited the library as she was house hunting in the Hintonburg area, and took advantage of many of OPL’s services:

“I visited the Hintonburg neighbourhood for the first time searching for Internet as I was house hunting. Each time I had a need (temporary Internet access, short clarification phone call, if Internet is available for newcomers, even directions to my destination in the neighbourhood!) EACH of the desk staff went out of their way to help me. Five people assisted me in the space of 15 minutes and it made me really want to live in the area. Ottawa suddenly felt very welcoming; I’m here to stay. They are all stars!„

As Rosemount Branch staff were recognized as a team, the nomination cannot officially be submitted as teams do not qualify. However, it is genuine recognition that branch staff are Stars in, and for, their community.

Ottawa Tourism established and manages the Stars of the City program to educate and encourage customer service excellence – and to recognize those who deliver it! The recognition part of the program is completely driven by customers – visitors and residents of the Capital – who appreciate the service they have received and take the next step to nominate the person(s) who provided it. All nominees receive a Stars of the City pin and certificate of recognition, and many are featured on www.starsofthecity.ca each month. Once per year, nominations are reviewed by an independent panel of judges, which decides on the winners across a range of categories. Nominees and winners are honoured at the annual Recognition Evening, where one truly exceptional winner is named Ottawa Tourism Star of the City, and walks away with a beautiful award and valuable prizes.