FOPLA gifts to the Ottawa Public Library

Since 2003, we’ve given more than $4.5 million to the Ottawa Public Library. Check out the list below for highlights of the latest items purchased  and programming offered by the Ottawa Public Library with FOPLA donations, and for our total donations by year.

2024
$232,800
2023
$160,000
2022
$160,000
2021
$35,000
2020
$35,000
2019
$410,000
2018
$375,000
2017
$360,000
2016
$350,000
2015
$277,820
2014
$180,382
2013
$357,320
2012
$318,375
2011
$194,739
2010
$266,573
2009
$234,434
2008
$300,743
2007
$175,519
2006
$123,522
2005
$117,701
$0
TOTAL

2023 gifts

  •  Supported Library Month campaign, “Your Library, Your Democracy”.

  • Created two new awards at University of Ottawa and AlgonquinCollege to support racialized and indigenous students pursuing careers in
    public librarianship.

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors youth writing contest for the seventeenth consecutive year.

  • Programming supplies such as Wellness kits and art supplies purchased to support a variety of programs across the City.​

  • Supported OPL’s popular annual Bibliocon event.

2022 gifts

  •  Supported Library Month campaign, “Read between the lines”.

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors youth writing contest for the sixteenth consecutive year.

  • Study carrels – purchased throughout 2023 for various library branches.​

  • Supported the purchase of VICTOR readers for accessible audiobooks.

  • Programming supports: displays, storywalks, feltboards, Nintendo Switch, early literacy tools.

  • Supported OPL’s popular annual Bibliocon event.

2021 gifts

  • A discussion with Teddy Syrette (Ozhawa Anung Kwe/Yellow Star Woman), a
    2Spirit Anishnabe storyteller from Batchewana First Nation.

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors youth writing contest for the fifteenth consecutive year.

  • Provided 300 wellness kits for street-involved youth that contained personal supplies, headphones, Presto cards, and bilingual mental health resources.

  • Science literacy week including themed story times, a panel discussion, and STEAM kits.

2020 gifts

  • Sponsored the Ottawa Live & Local Music series, a series of online music performances
    and workshops from the OPL in partnership with the Meridian Theatres in Centrepointe

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors youth writing contest for the fourteenth consecutive year.

  • Sponsored National Indigenous History Month programming, including the popular online
    author visit with Karen McBride, author of “Crow Winter”

2019 gifts

  • New lounge chairs at 11 branches across the OPL system: Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Cumberland, Elmvale Acres, Emerald Plaza, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Manotick, Nepean Centrepointe, Richmond & St-Laurent.

  • Special community programming such as Storyteller Franck Sylvestre at Rosemount Branch, Magician John Pert at the Constance Bay, Carp, and Beaverbrook branches, the Rag and Bone Puppet Theatre at the Carp Branch, and more.

  • Partnered with OPL to celebrate Canadian Library Month in October and sponsored OPL’s Customer Appreciation Golden Ticket fanny pack giveaways.

  • Sponsored Indigenous programming to support OPL’s work in responding to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, including a popular Indigenous film series in partnership with the Canadian Commission on UNESCO and the Ottawa Art Gallery.

  • Sponsored six music editing workshops by local musicians using technology at the Ruth E. Dickinson music lab.

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors youth writing contest for the fourteenth consecutive year.

  • Sponsored OPL’s second annual Tales and Tunes Family Fun Day at the Nepean Centrepointe Branch.

2018 gifts

  • Funds for programming about residential schools in response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action

  • Sponsored OPL’s Tales and Tunes family fun day, a popular and fast-growing community event.

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors Youth-Writing Contest for youth ages 9-17

  • Sponsored OPL’s Customer Appreciation event and ‘Golden Ticket’ bag giveaway.

  • Programming support for the newly-opened sound editing lab at the Ruth E. Dickinson Branch.

  • Programming support for the ‘Stay and Play’ initiative system-wide.

  • Materials at Cumberland and North Gower branches.

  • Refreshed Teen Zone at the Cumberland and North Gloucester branches.

  • Furniture at the Orléans Branch computer area.

  • Furniture at the Greenboro Branch.

  • Furniture for the Children’s section at the Carlingwood, Osgoode, and Metcalfe branches.

  • Equipment for the Children’s Area at the Carp Branch.

2017 gifts

  • Funds for programming about residential schools in response to the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action

  • Sponsored OPL Canada150 events, including the Dominion Day Strawberry Social

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors Youth-Writing Contest for youth ages 9-17

  • Sponsored OPL’s Customer Appreciation event and bag giveaway

  • Teen programming support at St-Laurent Branch

  • Maker space equipment at the Cumberland Branch

  • Children’s program support at Manotick Branch and North Gower Branch

  • Refreshed Teen Zone at the Ruth E. Dickinson Branch

  • Early literacy interactive station and merchandising for the Elmvale Acres Branch

  • Furniture at the Orléans Branch

  • Furniture for the Children’s and Teen sections at the Stittsville Branch

  • Furniture and equipment for the Children’s Area at the Greenboro Branch

  • Furniture and equipment for the Children’s Area at the Greenboro Branch

  • Furniture for the Community Meeting Room at Beaverbrook Branch

  • New low, mobile shelving at Main Branch

  • Upgraded shelving at Carlingwood Branch and Hazeldean Branch

  • Branch refresh at Blackburn Hamlet Branch and North Gloucester Branch during RFID conversion

  • Shelving accessories at Fitzroy Harbour Branch

  • Stacking chairs for the Imagine Space and system-wide videogames for OPL’s collection

2016 gifts

  • Funds for Aboriginal programming across branches

  • Funds for older-adult programming across branches

  • Sponsored the Awesome Authors Youth-Writing Contest for youth ages 9-17

  • Art supplies to create a mural in the Alta Vista Branch

  • Art display rails for the Teen Space at the Beaverbrook Branch

  • Children’s board books for outreach programs to parents in vulnerable communities

  • Refreshed program room furniture and supplies at Blackburn Hamlet Branch

  • Programming equipment, supplies, and furniture at the Carlingwood Branch

  • Furniture and equipment to completely refresh the North Gower Branch

  • Furniture and equipment for the Children’s section at  the Manotick Branch

  • Furniture and equipment for the Teen Zone at the Greenboro Branch

  • Display furniture, chairs, and programming equipment for the Imagine Space at Nepean Centrepointe

  • New adult shelving at the Hazeldean Branch

  • Replacement of children’s shelving at the Carp Branch

  • Low sight-line, mobile shelving at Main Branch

  • Display cabinet and programming support at the Emerald Plaza Branch

  • Audio visual equipment for the Sunnyside Branch

  • Sponsored an open house event in partnership with York Street school at Rideau Branch

  • Sponsored a community-oriented open-house event at the St. Laurent Branch

2015 gifts

  • $6,500 worth of e-books for OPL

  • Outreach to Ottawa’s Aboriginal community

  • Older adult programs including the 50+ Short Story Contest

  • Sponsored Awesome Authors Contest

  • Teen programs including Teen Exam Cram, Teen Advisory Group Day, and Teen Author Fest

  • Refreshed furniture for the expanded Constance Bay Branch

  • Completed shelving renewal project at Vanier Branch

  • Furnishing and programming supplies to improve children’s spaces

  • New shelving for the magazine collection at North Gloucester Branch

  • Shelving to improve parenting space at Cumberland Branch

  • New display and shelving units for DVDs at Carlingwood and Greenboro Branches

  • New shelving at Main and Ruth E. Dickinson Branches

  • Supplies to start the FOPLA Chess Club for Youth at Beaverbrook Branch