Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is seeking input from residents, cardholders, and Library stakeholders to confirm that its draft Facilities Framework responds to the needs of the Ottawa community.
To this end, a survey is available online and in branches, in English and French, until September 15, 2022.
This survey invites Ottawa residents to share their thoughts and views on access to Library branch services. To complete the survey and participate in this public consultation, they can visit the Facilities Framework Public Engagement web page or their local library branch. Their input will help finalize the Framework and help to make better decisions regarding future OPL facilities.
The Framework will serve as a roadmap to ensure more equitable coverage to Library branch services across Ottawa. It will also allow OPL to identify gaps in terms of access to Library branches and to determine how OPL plans to address these gaps.
For a sound understanding of the Facilities Framework, Ottawa residents can consult:
· An online presentation explaining the key points of the draft Facilities Framework in English, and French;
· The draft Facilities Framework, which is available in English and French, online, with hard copies in Library branches, and
· Other reference material.
Additionally, a virtual bilingual “open house” will take place on August 23, from 7 pm to 8 pm, to give Ottawa residents the opportunity to ask questions and to help them better understand the approach and the intended use of the Framework.
For further background, the Draft Facilities Framework was received and tabled by the Ottawa Public Library Board at the last OPL board meeting on June 14. The guiding principles of the new Facilities Framework were approved by the OPL Board in 2021.
The OPL Board will receive the outcome of the public engagement and the final Facilities Framework for discussion at its meeting of October 11, 2022.
Questions about this public consultation can be directed to facilitiesframework@biblioottawalibrary.ca. For more information, please visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.