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ANNUAL REPORT
2025

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

In 2025, FOPLA continued to demonstrate the extraordinary impact that a dedicated and talented community can achieve together. 

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and members, and the remarkable energy of our volunteers, FOPLA has now gifted more than $5,000,000 to the Ottawa Public Library since our founding in 2003. Every dollar has helped create the special spaces and programs that connect Ottawans -young and old - to discovery, creativity, and one another.  

 

Our volunteers remain the heart of our organization. Collectively, they gave over 22,000 hours of their time this year to strengthen FOPLA’s role as a steadfast partner to the Ottawa Public Library. Their efforts powered our bookstores, which generated $484,000 in revenue. Because of this shared commitment, we were able to contribute $232,800 to enhance Library programs and improve facilities across the system. Our ambition and pursuit of excellence is what makes FOPLA truly unique.  

 

We also made significant progress in strengthening our operations and future-proofing our store management. Key achievements this year included: Onboarding a new Volunteer Coordinator to enhance volunteer engagement. Trialing a Canadian third-party vendor (Zoom Books) to explore new operational efficiencies. Developing a new store managers’ manual to improve onboarding and consistency across branches. Implementing a co-manager model to strengthen store leadership and continuity.  

 

These initiatives reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and to building a strong, sustainable foundation for the years ahead.  

 

As we look forward, we do so with gratitude.  

 

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, member, and partner who believes in the power of our Library and its role in shaping a vibrant, connected Ottawa. Your contributions fuel our mission and ensure that the Ottawa Public Library remains a place where everyone can learn, imagine, and belong. 

 

Very kind regards, 

Kathleen  

2025
Highlights

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Throughout the year, FOPLA’s gift sponsored excellent city-wide OPL programming, bringing enjoyment and learning to thousands:

  • Black History Month author readings

  • the Awesome Author Youth Writing Contest and publication of the Pot-pourri anthology in its 19th year

  • TD Summer Reading Club book prizes for young readers

  • October Library Month “Meet Me at the Library” themed events and book bags

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FOPLA’s donation also enabled many branch activities, the kind of small touches that make a big difference in our neighbourhood branches, including:

  • Charging stations for in-branch and 90-day-loan Chromebooks 

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  • Hearing loops were installed in several OPL branches to enhance accessibility for customers who use hearing aids or cochlear implants

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  • To support OPL ‘s inclusion programming, FOPLA sponsored an author reading with the Ottawa based and best-selling author Emily Austen as well as MASC storytelling program with Jacqui Du Toit and Capital Pride swag and apparel for Pride Programs with Franco Queer's Ottawa chapter

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  • Giant sized versions of popular games like Xs and Os,  and Tetris, as well as tournament-sized chess boards for various branches 
     

  • Individual programs across branches such as a ‘Learn to Sew’ program at the Orleans branch; the Zoo Crew program for adults at Beaverbrook; a "Learn to Forage" program at Carp; space rental for "Robo-Revolution" community robotics event and two programs with a master gardener on preparing for winter as well as the "Circofolie" circus program at Cumberland

The Friends had the distinct pleasure of awarding its two  scholarships to ten deserving students at University of Ottawa and Algonquin College to support students pursuing careers in public librarianship - see fopla-aabpo.ca/scholarships-and-bursaries.

 

This brings us to a total of 75 scholarships awarded to date to students at University of Ottawa and Algonquin College.

2026 promises to be another success story for both our fundraising and our partnership with OPL.

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Kudos and thanks to our exceptional volunteers, our Board members, FOPLA staff, and the OPL and City teams for all that they do to make it possible.

 

Thank you for being part of this community effort. It matters more than ever.

Kathleen O'Connell Renaud, MLIS

President  & CEO, Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association

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Thank you to our Volunteers

FOPLA is over 99% volunteer-run by people who believe in the value
of a strong public library in our community.

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at FOPLA. We are supported by 240+ volunteers who logged an impressive 22,000 hours in all our locations in 2025. With a successful collaborative team model at our Tallwood location in place and a steady recruitment campaign, we have a full cadre of volunteers operating our 30 stores and self-serve kiosks, our Distribution Centre and our increasingly popular monthly Mammoth sales.

5 YEARS

Eileen Davelaar

Annie Creighton

Ian Gemmell

Megan MacKenzie

Eileen Swimmer

Kathleen Cooper

Guy Newsham

10 YEARS

Russell Hart

June Wilson

Kristine Chin

Sue Mather

Helene Simoneau

Alexander Monker

Stephanie Duggan

15 YEARS

Gina Smith

Rhonnie Butler

Christina Bailey

Francoise Lalonde

Airi Bellefeuille

Louise Gaudreau

 20+
YEARS

Valerie Buko

Susan Dowler

Sue Guarda

Sue Morton

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2025
Operations

  • Revenues raised through donations, memberships and stores were $484,000 in 2025 - an increase of more than $26,000 compared with last year.
     

  • A co manager model was implemented and with the help of a new volunteer coordinator, a Store Managers Manual was developed to facilitate onboarding new managers and streamline processes across branches.
     

  • Our FOPLA Volunteer Handbook was updated with new Health and Safety and Social Media policies to align with OPL practices.

FDC and Mammoth sales generated an impressive $81,443 with the efforts of more than 5200 volunteer hours

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2025
Financial Highlights

Memberships and donations increased over 2024, reaching $24,055. Namely due to a number of large  donations and grants obtained. 

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  • Online sales through Better World Books grew by 19%, generating $24,709 in revenue

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  • Revenue from the Distribution Centre including the monthly Mammoth Book Sales increased by 28% to $81,443

 

​FOPLA extends its sincere appreciation to the many volunteers and our generous clients whose dedication made these outstanding financial results possible. Their efforts continue to strengthen FOPLA's ability to support the Ottawa Public Library and invest in initiatives that benefit library users across the community​.

2025 was another successful year for the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) with revenues of $484,314  from the sale of donated books; an increase of 6% over 2024. This is  a remarkable achievement and reflects the ongoing generosity of book donors and the tireless dedication of our volunteers.

 

FOPLA was pleased to donate $232,800 to the Ottawa Public Library in 2025, an increase of $89,000 over the previous year. In addition, FOPLA contributed $282,000 toward its exceptional $750,000 commitment to the new Ottawa Central Library – Ādisōke.

 

Operating expenses were carefully managed throughout the year to maximize support for the Ottawa Public Library. Overall expenses remained consistent with 2024 with FOPLA incurring additional website development costs for the much needed overhaul of FOPLA's website scheduled for completion in 2026.

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It is expected that revenue increases will continue into 2026.

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INVESTMENT FUND

HIGHLIGHTS

The FOPLA Investment Fund concluded 2025 with another strong year of performance. The Fund generated approximately $24,349 in income from interest, dividends, and other investment sources. In addition, the market value of the portfolio increased by 11%, representing growth of $89,660, bringing the Fund's total market value to $933,647 at year end.

 

The Investment Fund continues to be professionally managed by Doherty & Associates Investment Counsel under the oversight of the FOPLA Investment Committee, ensuring prudent stewardship of the FOPLA's long-term financial assets.

Communications and Advocacy

FOPLA continued to expand and strengthen its social media presence, increasing visibility and promoting our monthly Mammoth sales and other key events. These efforts resulted in higher attendance and stronger sales throughout 2025. Updated signage at the FDC and various store locations, along with newly developed marketing collateral, further enhanced our outreach.

 

The Board and volunteers also worked to deepen community connections; forging new partnerships with community organizations and  broadening FOPLA’s engagement across the City.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Board Executive

Kathleen O'Connell Renaud  President & CEO

Ian Sharkey  Vice President, Director of Operations

Holly Brant  Treasurer

Pamela Belfer  Secretary​

Investment Committee Members

Claude Lamothe

Rohini Deopersaud

Wes Blight

Holly Brant

Heather Kreker

Pamela Belfer

Shari Hill

Board Directors

Jill Sexton Director

Sara Caverley  Director  

Shari Hill  Past President 

Chantal Cloutier  Past President 

Alexandra Yarrow  OPL Liaison 

Sonia Bebbington  ex officio, Chief Librarian & CEO,
Ottawa Public Library

Personnel

Jackie Banning  Finance Coordinator

Alex Houghton  Administrative and Communications Coordinator

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