These rules apply to all contests or giveaways (“OPL Contest”) offered by the Ottawa Public Library (OPL).
Entries may be accepted by email, Facebook, Twitter or via a ballot in one of OPL’s 33 branches and two bookmobiles.
Contests offered in partnership with external organizations may be subject to additional rules or guidelines, as agreed upon by OPL.
By entering an OPL Contest, you agree to these OPL Contest Rules.
Complete details for each contest will be available in a blog post at BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca/en/staff-blogs (“Website”). To enter an OPL Contest, potential participants should follow the instructions given on the Website to find out how to enter and what the prizes are.
Details will include:
- the prize(s) available to be won
- the start and end dates and/or times
- how the winners will be notified
- any other information relevant to entering, participating, or winning
Unless otherwise stated, there is a limit of one entry per person. The chances of winning depend on the number of entries.
Unless otherwise stated, OPL Contests are open to all OPL customers who have a valid OPL card. A valid OPL card means the card is not expired. If the contest is open to minors, for any contestant who has not reached the age of majority, a parent or guardian’s consent is necessary to obtain the prize, should the minor win. Where appropriate, the terms “contestant” and “winner” mean parent or guardian of that person. A parent/guardian of a winner who is a minor can collect the prize should they have a valid OPL card.
OPL employees, their immediate family (parent, sibling, child) or persons living under the same roof, are not eligible to enter any OPL Contest.
If the OPL Contest winner is selected by draw, a random draw will be made by an OPL representative from all qualifying entries. The winner(s) will be contacted using the contact information provided at the time of entry (eg. telephone number, email address, Twitter handle or Facebook account). The prize will be forfeited and OPL will select another winner if a selected contestant:
- cannot be reached or qualified using the information provided at the time of entry, within five business days
- incorrectly answers the mathematical skill testing question (where applicable)
- declines the prize
- fails to return any required release form.
Winners will be required to present a valid (non-expired) OPL card. Winners will be required to pick up physical prizes at the specified location. For OPL Contests where the winner is responsible for picking up the prize, the prize must be picked up within 30 days or it shall be forfeited. OPL reserves the right to select another winner at its sole discretion.
To be declared a winner, the selected contestant may first be asked to correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question.
Winner(s) may also be required to sign a release declaring their eligibility as stipulated in these
rules; and releasing OPL, any sponsor or prize donor and their directors, officers and employees (the “Contest Parties”) from all liability for any damage or loss arising from participation in the contest or from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize.
Prizes must be accepted as is and may not be exchanged or refunded for an amount of money, sold or transferred. No substitutions will be allowed. Any unused portion of a prize will be forfeited.
If the prize cannot be awarded as described in these rules, OPL reserves the right to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable value, at its sole discretion.
Refusal to accept the prize releases the Contest Parties from any obligation toward the winner. If a contestant makes any false statement, (s)he will be automatically disqualified from the OPL Contest.
By participating in any OPL Contest, contestants agree to OPL using their name, image or Twitter/Facebook handle for advertising purposes related to an OPL Contest free of charge.
The Contest Parties assume no liability for any loss, damage, or injury, including without limitation: (i) lost, stolen, delayed, damaged, misdirected, late, destroyed, illegible, or incomplete entries; (ii) loss, theft or damage to software or computer or telephone data, including any breach of privacy; (iii) fraudulent calls; (iv) inability of any person to participate in the OPL Contest for any reason including mistaken addresses on mail or email; technical, computer or telephone malfunctions or other problems with computer online systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment, or software; congestion on the internet or at any website, or any combination of the foregoing; (v) damage to any person’s computer, including as a result of playing or downloading any material relating to the OPL Contest; (vi) any delay or inability to act resulting from an event or situation beyond their control, including a strike, lockout or other labour dispute at their location or the locations of the organizations and businesses whose services are used to administer the OPL Contest; (vii) any injury, damage or loss arising from participation in the OPL contest or from the awarding, acceptance, or use of any prize, or (viii) prizes that are lost, damaged, or misdirected during shipping.
OPL reserves the right to cancel or suspend the OPL Contest should a virus, bug, or other cause beyond their reasonable control corrupt the security or proper administration of the OPL Contest. Any attempt to deliberately damage any website or to undermine the legitimate operation of the OPL Contest is a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, OPL reserves the right to seek remedies and damages to the fullest extent permitted by law, including criminal prosecution.
All personal information, such as name and contact information, required to enter an OPL Contest is collected by OPL solely for the purposes of administering the OPL Contest and shall not be used for any other purpose without your express consent. By providing this information, you consent to it being used for the stated purposes. For more information, see OPL’s privacy policy.
OPL Contests are not endorsed or administered by Facebook, Twitter or any other party offering social media services. By entering any OPL Contest, contestants release all Third Party Services from any liability in connection with such OPL Contest.
If the identity of a contestant is disputed, the authorized account holder of the email address, phone number or Twitter/Facebook handle submitted at the time of entry will be deemed to be the contestant. The individual assigned to the email address, phone number or Twitter/Facebook handle for the domain associated with the submitted email address, phone number or Twitter/Facebook handle is considered the authorized account holder. A selected contestant may be required to provide proof that (s)he is the authorized account older of the email address, phone number or Twitter/Facebook handle associated with the selected entry.
OPL reserves the right to amend the Contest Rules or to terminate any OPL Contest at any time without any liability to any contestant.
The decisions OPL makes, with respect to any dispute or issue involving an OPL Contest, are final and binding for all contestants.