Ādisōke

Central branch at Ādisōke

The Central Branch at Ādisōke!

  • 2022

  • 2023

  • 2024

  • 2025

  • 2026

Welcome to the Central branch at Ādisōke!

Our new, accessible, spectacular joint facility with Library and Archives Canada (LAC), is set to open in 2026. Central libraries are transformational social infrastructure projects that build, strengthen, enrich communities and bring people together.

With a central location on the historic LeBreton Flats, our Central branch at Ādisōke will provide access to:

  • the latest creative technologies
  • beautiful spaces to work and study
  • high-quality literacy programs
  • events with local and national artists
  • exceptional collections.

The participation of the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation, the urban Indigenous communities, library employees, library clients, and Ottawa residents have been essential to the process of designing a public library that is accessible, inclusive and welcoming.

Every floor and area at Ādisōke is designed to inspire, to spark curiosity, to promote exploration.

View of Central Gathering Space

First Floor
arrive, gather, connect

Step into the breathtaking Ādisōke!

Take in the interior and exterior views of the new world-class Ottawa Central Library and Library and Archives Canada joint facility!

Here you will find:

  • View of the Express Library area
  • Floor map of first floor, with express library area highlighed

This lively area with a casual bookstore feel and floor-to-ceiling green wall is where you will enter the central branch, and find items on hold, member services, quick information, express collections

  • View of Exhibition Gallery, people looking at art and displays
  • View of first floor plan with area of exhibition gallery highlighted

The museum-quality exhibition gallery will showcase the heritage and culture of Canada and its capital, and feature rare items from Library and Archives Canada, artwork, and artefacts from Ottawa Public Library, and the Ottawa community.

  • View first floor plan with cafe area highlighted

Ādisōke's gift shop will feature a wide variety of local and handmade merchandize that celebrate Ottawa culture and makers as well as library specific souvenirs and gifts. 

  • Central Gathering Space interior view
  • Map of first floor with Central Gathering Space highlighted

The open atrium with beautiful light and visibility into the building’s spaces will act as a large community living room, and a casual space for people to chat with friends, lounge and read. 

  • inside view of blackbox theatre
  • inside view of blackbox theatre

This smaller flat-floor space with configurable seating and lighting is the perfect place to put on or watch performances.  

  • Interior view of auditorium
  • View of first floor plan with area of auditorium highlighted

This room, which holds around 270 people, will have retractable seating to act as an auditorium for hosting speakers, authors, performers, etc., or as an event space for workshops, and more.

  • View towards Cafe on first floor
  • View first floor plan with cafe area highlighted

Enjoy a hot, caffeinated beverage of your choice at Ādisōke's café.

  • View of first floor plan with Entrance -with entrance towards Outdoor Amphitheatre and Pimisi O-Train Station highlighted
  • exterior view of pimisi entrance, with view of outdoor amphitheatre

  • View of first floor plan with entrance towards North Terrace highlighed
  • exterior view of north terrace entrance

  • exterior view of east entrance

  • View of first floor plan with Albert Street West entrance highlighted
  • exterior view of west entrance on Albert street

  • View of first floor plan with Library and Archives Canada area highlighted
View of Genealogy Centre

Second Floor
play, learn, celebrate diversity

On this floor, the children will play, the Indigenous community will gather and share knowledge, and visitors will connect with their city and roots.

Here you will find:

  • View of Community Services area with view of the Circular Lodge
  • Floor map of second floor, with area of Community Services and Circular Lodges highlighted

This space includes world languages, literacy and language learning collections, audio-visual collections, accessible formats. There is a prayer/meditation room, meeting rooms of various sizes, and a peaceful exterior seating space to enjoy.

  • Circular Room interior view
  • Floor map of second floor with Circular Lodge area highlighted

Developed in collaboration with the Elders and members of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, this Indigenous Space will showcase Indigenous culture, languages and knowledge and become a place for Indigenous gathering and cross-cultural sharing for the community.

  • View of Living Ottawa
  • Map of second floor with Living Ottawa area highlighted

Learn about Ottawa’s past, present and future in this area where historical materials are preserved, and current events are celebrated as the history of tomorrow

  • View of inside the Genealogy Centre
  • View of the second floor with Genealogy Centre highlighted

A must stop for all people interested in genealogy research! This world-class research centre at the heart of the facility brings together LAC and OPL’s extensive genealogical collections.

  • View of Children's Discovery Centre
  • Map of second floor with section of Children's Discovery Centre highlighted

This vibrant and playful centre includes play and discovery areas, creation and early literacy centres, research computer stations, ample seating, a multipurpose room for education programs, the Children’s Wigwam Room for Storytime, and a Sensory Room for children and families with special needs.

View of entrance to third floor, service touch point

Third Floor
relax, create, innovate

This is a space where people of all ages can innovate and create, and where teens can have their space to explore ideas, and learn together.

Here you will find:

  • View of Teen Centre
  • floor map of third floor, Teen Centre highlighted

A space for youth to explore ideas, unlock their creativity and discover their independence and autonomy. It will include maker spaces, and areas for performances, group gatherings and quiet study. 

  • view of parts of the Creative Centre

People of all ages and in all stages of life can visit this state-of-the-art makerspace and use innovative digital and analogue tools to create and learn.   

  • Map of third floor with Library and Archives Canada area highlighted
view of fourth floor reading area

Fourth floor
research, consult, collaborate 

On this floor, members of the community and partner organizations will find the tools and spaces they need to find a job, access a service, or start a business. 

Here you will find:

  • View of fourth floor map with outreach offices highlighted
  • View of interior of outreach office

Community partners working to make Ottawa a safer, healthier city will have space to work and provide important services to those in need. 

  • Map of fourth floor with non-fiction section highlighted
  • View of fourth floor reading area, with seating, and book stacks

Browse the OPL’s extensive collection non-fiction works, and relax on a comfortable chair to read or take in the view.

  • View of fourth floor map with Computer Lab section highlighted

Need to brush up on some computer skills? Here’s a space where you can take a free class and improve your digital literacy. 

  • View of fourth floor map with Musical Instrument Library and Rehearsal Room highlighted

Unlock your musical potential by borrowing guitars, percussion, strings, and keyboards. Try the instrument out or do a virtual lesson in the Rehearsal Room around the corner. 

  • Floor map of fourth floor with Business Centre area highlighted

A co-working space for entrepreneurs, students, and remote workers. Use this space to hold virtual or in-person meetings, to do some focused work, or to use office equipment—or attend a program on how to launch your new venture.

  • Fourth floor map with Library and Archives Canada section highlighted
View of fifth floor reading area

Fifth Floor
read, meet, unwind

Welcome to the top floor of Ādisōke, where the views of Ottawa, the Ottawa River and the Gatineau hills are simply breathtaking.

A perfect location for comfortable reading, receptions, and a restaurant.

Here you will find:

  • Image of the Civic Reception Room
  • Fifth floor map with area of Civic Reception Centre highlighted

A stunning venue for library programs, or to host meetings, gatherings, receptions, and events of all kinds.

  • View of fifth floor reading area
  • Map of fifth floor with Reading Area highlighted

These beautiful, light-filled spaces will offer large collections to browse, and comfortable reading areas with spectacular views.

  • Restaurant view
  • Map of fifth floor with restaurant area highlighted

Take time to recharge and unwind in a restaurant offering the best of views, beverages, and meals.

  • View towards Community Kitchen
  • Fifth floor map with Community Kitchen area highlighted

Take part in library and partner programs demonstrating cooking techniques and processes.

Blogs

View of Adisoke exterior and shot of interior top floor

Anishinābemowin language series - past, collections, people, research

Four new words for our Anishinābemowin language series!

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    ...
View of Adisoke exterior and shot of interior top floor

Anishinābemowin language series - Technology

Welcome to week twelve of our Anishinābemowin language series!

This week’s word is ...

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For Further Information

West View of the new Ottawa Central Library

For Ādisōke construction updates, project news, design details, and the public engagement story, visit Adisoke.ca.

© 2023 City of Ottawa/Ottawa Public Library/Library and Archives Canada.

All rights reserved.

Personal information provided is collected under the authority of Sections 20(a) and (d) of the Public Libraries Act. Personal information is used to provide library services. The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is subject to the privacy requirements under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Questions regarding this collection can be addressed to the MFIPPA Coordinator, Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5M2 or 613-580-2424.