Ottawa Public Library to increase hours at rural branches

Beginning in March, Ottawa Public Library (OPL) will be adding a total of 39 hours across eight of its 10 rural locations, to provide more consistent service hours, improve client experience, and create opportunities for additional programming and community engagement.

Hours will be expanded at Greely, Richmond, Metcalfe Village, North Gower, Osgoode, Constance Bay, Munster and Vernon. The changes come after a comprehensive review of all rural branches and feedback from residents.

“The goal was to review sought to ensure that branches of similar size and populations have comparable opening hours and services, and to coordinate geographically proximate branches to ensure resident access to library services six days a week (Monday-Saturday), from morning until evening,” a press release from OPL states.     

Since amalgamation, rural branches have had inconsistent hours, interrupted hours of service, and limited capacity for programming. As part of the 2024 Corporate Workplan, the review looked at making these hours more consistent.

“The increased rural service hours represent a step forward in meeting the needs of clients in rural communities,” Sonia Bebbington, chief librarian and chief executive officer, said. “A move to more consistent and standardized opening hours across OPL’s rural branches ensures more clients can benefit from library services.”

Specific changes to branch hours of operations will be announced early in 2025 and will come into effect March 3.