The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) brand isn’t just a logo. It’s the experience you have every time you visit your local branch. It’s the experience you have every time you visit your local branch: connecting with curiosity, exploring new possibilities, sparking inspiration, and ensuring every interaction feels welcoming.
Why now? OPL is about books…and so much more! It is a hub for literacy, creativity, and community. Our new brand reflects who we are today and communicates our mission to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and connect people.
But don’t worry! Everything you love about OPL is still here. Our new brand simply ties it all together, making it easier and more fun to explore, connect, and engage with your library.
Designed with Purpose
- The woven “O” symbolizes OPL as a ‘third space’ that brings people, ideas, and communities together, with each thread reflecting individuals in the fabric. It echoes our library shelves, full of books, CDs, and even Chromebooks, while nodding to e-readers or other digital devices, representing the many ways people connect with our resources
- A clear, legible, and accessible wordmark, combined with an adaptable design, makes the library easy to recognize and navigate.
- The palette is inspired by nature and Ottawa’s official flower, the tulip. It is bold, warm, and full of energy.
- Our imagery celebrates the people who make OPL come alive: working, learning, playing, and exploring. They reflect Ottawa’s diverse communities and capture the wonder and curiosity we spark every day.
- The new tagline—Connect with Curiosity—welcomes you to explore, engage, and try something new at OPL.
How We Arrived Here
This new brand was shaped by you, OPL employees, and our community partners. Your feedback helped guide both the design and how we’ll bring it to life.
Curious about the ideas and inspiration behind the new look? Check out our Connect with Curiosity: Brand Backgrounder to learn more.
Where Will You Spot OPL Next?
Our new visuals are appearing all over the city:
Library branches: posters, in-branch signage, interactive displays
Transit & public spaces: buses, bus shelters, LRT stations, billboards
Online & social channels: website, blog, and OPL social accounts
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the advertising hitting the city:
[Heading Picture: Sonia Bebbington, CEO & Chief Librarian at OPL, rocking the new branded tote bag]