We are ecstatic to announce that in 2019 we donated $410,000 to the Ottawa Public Library (OPL), which is FOPLA’s largest donation ever for the third year running. These funds enhance OPL’s offerings to the community and are used to purchase furniture, equipment, materials, and support innovative programming.

FOPLA supports the Ottawa Public Library through fundraising and advocacy and is proud to be one of the leading library friends’ groups in Canada. We operate more than 25 used bookstores in library branches across Ottawa with the help of 300 volunteers, and every single one of the used books, vinyl records, and DVDs you’ve purchased from us makes a difference. Since 2003, we’ve now donated more than $4 million to the Ottawa Public Library. Amazing, right?

“We’ve worked hard as an organization to increase awareness of both our mission and the impact of our fundraising for OPL, so it’s very gratifying for all our volunteers that we can continue to support the Ottawa Public Library in such a meaningful way,” said FOPLA President, Vladimir Uher.

Some of the items purchased by OPL with FOPLA funds in 2019 include:

  • FOPLA funds were used to purchase furniture such as lounge chairs for several OPL branches, and supported programming including the popular Tales and Tunes Family Fun Day and special performances during the TD Summer Reading Club.

  • FOPLA sponsored OPL’s Awesome Authors youth writing contest and published winning entries in the thirteenth edition of the pot-pourri anthology.

  • FOPLA was proud to sponsor programming designed in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Calls to Action, including OPL’s popular Indigenous film series and the visit of Indigenous author and chef, Shane Chartrand.

“I cannot overstate OPL’s appreciation and gratitude for the support of FOPLA volunteers and the generous donations that so enhance Library programming and add to the customer experience OPL offers to the public,” said Tim Tierney, (former) Chair of the OPL Board and current City Councillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville.

FOPLA has also provided support for the reveal of designs for the upcoming Ottawa Public Library-Library Archives Canada joint facility (check out our reaction blog here), and we can’t wait to continue supporting OPL as they work towards the completion of this landmark city-building project.

Want to get involved and join in Ottawa’s library re-imagining? If you’re interested in volunteering with us, head over to www.fopla-aabpo.ca/volunteer for full details and to apply.