The first year of my Presidency went by amazingly fast as we accomplished new things in this ever-changing world around us. Our dedicated volunteers worked hard in 2018, so it is no wonder we surpassed our fundraising goals and donated $375,000 to the Ottawa Public Library (OPL), once again our highest contribution to date. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Your efforts to promote the value of what we do to Ottawa citizen’s have been truly amazing.
Our Board was energized this year with new members, new ideas, and a ready-to-work spirit. We also have veteran members who share their expertise, and I thank each of you for the positive and cumulative effect of your contributions. I would like to acknowledge Penelope Gould, our soon-to-be outgoing VP Operations, who has achieved exceptional results thanks to her hard work and leadership. Thank you, Penelope, on behalf of us all!
I would also like to thank my predecessor, Chantal Cloutier, for her two years of hard work and results in her time as President. Chantal’s vision and creativity set FOPLA on the right path to move forward and upward on a number of fronts, so thank you, Chantal.
2018 was a wonderfully successful year for FOPLA. The results of our $375,000 donation were reflected in new equipment and furniture, as well as enhancements to programs and services across OPL branches. FOPLA also continued our sponsorship of OPL’s annual Tales and Tunes Family Fun Day and other events. We love to support these events, as they demonstrate how impactful OPL is in our community.
FOPLA’s communications team continued to raise our profile, and have broadened our audience significantly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as with local media outlets. The FOPLA website is also a dynamic reflection of FOPLA’s activities, and I encourage you to visit us often.
FOPLA’s Investment Fund Committee completed the transformation laid out in its Strategic Investment Plan by engaging local management firm Doherty & Associates in 2018. Doherty provides expertise in non-profit portfolios, and will employ a conservative growth strategy designed to protect the fund for the future.
Our Distribution Facility at the James Bartleman Centre continues to gain fame in the Ottawa book-buyers’ world. FOPLA’s monthly Mammoth Sale remains hugely popular, with an increase in sales of 26% over 2017. This was helped by our growing inventory of vinyl records, a new product that we plan to feature at a special sale in fall 2019. We also continued our partnership with Better World Books, an online used books vendor.
The Ottawa Central Library project is becoming more concrete every month. The now-approved partnership between OPL and Library Archives Canada will undoubtedly result in an inspirational joint facility housing two institutions of both regional and national importance. Public consultation will ensure the new building is truly a community-inspired facility, and we look forward to developing a new retail space in the Town Hall atrium.
My sincere appreciation for ongoing support from our OPL partners in all our endeavours. Thank you to CEO Danielle McDonald, DCEO Monique Désormeaux, our OPL liaison Philip Robert, and Division Manager of the Central Library Project, Craig Ginther.
My deepest appreciation goes out to all of you, our Friends who both donate and buy books, to our tireless volunteers in FOPLA locations across the city, to those assisting us with critical committee work, and to my FOPLA Board colleagues. Without all of you, what we do would not be possible.