Earlier this month the Ottawa Public Library shared their 2016 Annual Report. For the OPL, 2016 was a year of firsts and new research initiatives geared toward better understanding OPL’s impact on the communities it serves.
Some highlights from the report:
- In 2016, OPL celebrated a record-breaking number of checkouts for eBooks (820,826) and audiobooks (201,824), totalling more than 1 million checkouts for digital books.
- Much of the OPL’s energy went toward improving digital communications and developing virtual spaces, social media, and OPL website, often referred to as the Library’s “34th branch.” The redesigned website includes the catalogue, resources, blogs, reading recommendations, and reviews.
- In January 2016, OPL double the size of their Imagine Space, OPL’s “makerspace.” Now 820 square feet, customers have access to a new, more powerful laser cutter, and OPL installed a dedicated green wall for photo and video shoots. By June, OPL added the easy-to-use Orion StarBlast telescope Astro Reflector, generously donated by a local astronomer Mr. Mark Narwa.
The OPL conducted its first-ever study on the Library’s economic impact, the results of which are available online. The study revealed that every dollar invested in the OPL generated more than five dollars in economic benefit to Ottawa residents – a total of $256 million in benefits for the region in 2015, delivering a remarkable 417% return on investment.
Of course, discussions about the location of a new Ottawa Central Library made local news throughout 2016. Work on the transformative project included the development of planning studies as well as some public engagement initiatives. An estimated 4,000 citizens responded to surveys on public consultations on the matter.
A staff report included recommendations for a partnership with Library and Archives Canada to “design, construct, and operate an OPL-LAC joint facility” of about 216,000 square feet at 557 Wellington Street on the eastern edge of LeBreton Flats. In February of this year, city council approved the site which critics suggest is too far from the city core.
An official ground-breaking is expected by the summer of 2018 anticipating a grand opening in the fall of 2020.
