As the year comes to a close, all of us at Ottawa Public Library (OPL) send our warmest holiday wishes to you. This season always brings us back to the quiet magic that happens when people gather around stories: the spark of curiosity, the comfort of shared moments, and the joy of learning something new.
This year was also anchored in important conversations about intellectual freedom and the ongoing work of protecting access to a rich, diverse collection that reflects many voices and viewpoints. We marked major milestones: hosting the 2025 Ottawa Book Awards, celebrating Osgoode’s 100th anniversary, and coming together for Library Month under the theme, Meet Me at the Library, and expanding free library memberships to residents of Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg First Nation, the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, and Urban Indigenous communities in the Gatineau region.
You’ve helped keep that sense of magic alive and thriving across our branches this year. We’ve seen children proudly carrying home their first library books, newcomers finding a place to belong, and adults rediscovering the pleasure of reading. These moments may seem small on their own, but together they create a more connected and vibrant Ottawa.
Thank you for being part of this story. Every time you visit, join a program, ask a question, or borrow a book, you help make your library a vibrant space full of learning, creativity, and inspiration. Your support makes OPL a place where imagination grows, ideas flourish, and people feel inspired.
Looking forward to 2026, I’m excited for the next chapter we will write together. This is a chapter where literacy remains accessible, imagination is encouraged, and our libraries continue to be spaces for inspiration and community.
May your holidays be filled with warmth, wonder, and a story or two that stays with you long after the season ends. We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year.
With heartfelt thanks,
Sonia Bebbington
Chief Librarian & CEO
Ottawa Public Library