Total uses every year 33 M

The Ottawa Public Library has gone through many evolutions since the days of the card catalogue. You ll see that it is both relevant and busier today than ever.

Total uses every year 33 M In 2012, the Library hosted 33 million visits. This number includes in-person visits to our branches and virtual access to our websites, item loans, in-house use of our public computers and wireless access, as well as attendance to our programs. Let s examine these in more detail.

In person visits 5 M 33 branches 2 bookmobiles 1 kiosk The Library is a place where people congregate, a meeting space for socializing as well as individual recreation and information gathering. Of the 33 million visits in 2012, five million were done in person at one of our 33 branches, two bookmobiles, and one kiosk.

11.4 M Virtual Visits www.biblioottawalibrary.ca In addition to personal visits, the Library also welcomed 11.4 million virtual visits to our website and online catalogue. Although 40% of visits are aimed at searching the catalogue, virtual visitors also access our website to gain knowledge from our online databases, to download digital content such as ebooks, as well as to browse through our programs and read our blogs.

Resources: 2.3M items 11.2M items loaned Novels, biographies Language learning items Magazines and newspapers CDs and DVDs and games English, French, and nine other languages Museum and ski passes The Ottawa Public Library is the largest bilingual (French-English) public library system in North America. Its physical and digital collections hold 2.3 million items, such as novels, biographies, resources for language learning, magazines and newspapers, CDs and DVDs, museum and ski passes. Not only does it serve Ottawa s English and French-language clients by providing services and collection in the language of their choice, but the Library also offers items in nine other languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and Russian. In 2012, the library loaned out 11.2 million items. All of these resources are loaned free of charge!

Digital Resources More than 60,000 magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, and ebooks More than 90,000 albums of downloadable and streamed music Libraries today are not just about printed books! While the Library still has a substantial amount of printed material in its branches and usage of these items has remained fairly stable, there have been significant increases in the purchase and usage of the ebook collection and other digital products. The Library provides access to 76 databases on a variety of topics, more than 60,000 digital magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, ebooks, as well as more than 90,000 albums of downloadable and streamed music. For example, the Library provides access to the Consumers Reports databases, as well as Mango languages for those of you who wish to learn a second, third or even a fourth language! Genealogy buffs have access to thousands of birth, marriage and death records through Ancestry.ca. The Freegal database offers thousands of popular downloadable music. In addition, customers of the Library can read the online version of the Ottawa Citizen by logging on to the website and accessing the Library Press Display database.

Programming 11,476 programs 214,143 participants Every Child Ready to Read Babytime Homework clubs Business and job-related workshops Book clubs Writing workshops Genealogy workshops The Library offers various programs designed for children, teens, adults, and older adults, in French and in English. Last year, 11,476 programs were hosted, attracting more than 200,000 participants. The list that you see is only a sample of what is currently offered: from the traditional book clubs, to programs to teach pre-reading skills to children, storytime for babies, homework clubs, business and job-related workshop, writing, and even genealogy workshops. There are conversation circles and festivals to celebrate cultures.

Service Excellence 656,300 Information Requests 849,409 Public workstation sessions 222,824 Wireless logins Reference and information services Internet access on public computers and Wi-Fi Information literacy sessions and ebook training Newcomer services Service Ottawa kiosks The way our customers access our services and collections has changed dramatically over the past decade, going from services offered exclusively in branches to a multi-faceted model that includes not only in-branch services but also virtual (Web-based) and self-services. The Library offers public workstations as well as wireless internal access to its customers. Since ebooks have increased in popularity, the library hosts ebook help sessions on various technological platforms. Newcomers to Canada can gain help through partnerships with settlement agencies. City residents can access city services through various Service Ottawa kiosks.

The Ottawa Public Library *Crasner, Erin K. (2009). Imagine [Photograph]. The Library has undergone many changes in the past decade and the future promises more changes at a more rapid pace. These changes present many new opportunities as well as challenges, which is why the Library is embarking on a Transformation Project to prepare for the future.

Environmental Scan Population Trends: The City of Ottawa forecasts growth in population to 976,747 people by 2016 Let s look at some of the external challenges and opportunities that not only the Library but the citizens of Ottawa will be facing. Ottawa s population is currently at approximately 935,000 people. The city of Ottawa is expected to grow to close to 1 million people by 2016. Sources: Ontario Ministry of Finance. Ontario Population Projections Update, 2011-2036, Ontario and its 49 Census Divisions, Spring 2012. (Based on the 2006 Census) Ottawa Police Service. Environmental Scan 2012.

Environmental Scan Demographic Trends: An aging population A stable French-language population A more diverse population In 2011, the first Baby Boomers reached the age of 65. In 2031, more than one in five residents will be over the age of 65. The percentage of French-language speakers is relatively stable at 15.4% of Ottawa s population, witnessing a drop of.4% since the census of 2006. In 2011, 20.4% of Ottawa residents reported a mother tongue that was neither French nor English. Approximately 25% of Ottawa s population are immigrants or temporary residents. Sources: Ottawa Police Service. Environmental Scan 2012. Census of Canada 2011.

Environmental Scan Geographic Trends: A large territory A green city A city of festivals Ottawa comprises of a very large territory, stretching 90km from east to west; its 2,790 sq km is mostly rural. Ottawa has more than 850 parks, 558 km of cycling facilities and 235 km of trails, making it one of the greenest metropolitan areas in North America. Finally, Ottawa is also a city of festivals, each year hosting more than 35 major outdoor and cultural festivals and fairs. Source: City of Ottawa 2011-2014 Strategic Plan, July 2011, amended may2012.

Environmental Scan Economic Trends: Slow growth for the next 3 years Low unemployment rate Light Rail Transportation On the economic front, slow growth is predicted for Ottawa-Gatineau for the next 3 years. The public sector was hit hard last year and employment within that sector is expected to fall over the next three years including a 3.8 per cent decline this year. However, the unemployment rate in Ottawa is still lower than the provincial average and housing starts are above the 20-year average. The introduction of Light Rail will have an important impact on employment since all trains will be assembled in Ottawa, creating up to 100 jobs over a two-year period. Once the system is in operation, 50 permanent jobs will be created in vehicle maintenance. Sources: Conference Board of Canada. Economic Insights Into 13 Canadian Metropolitan Economies (Metropolitan Outlook 1). Autumn 2012 and Winter 2013. City of Ottawa, Department of Economic Development and Innovation. Economic Development Update for the City of Ottawa. vo. 1, issue 2, March 2013. Ottawa Police Service. Environmental Scan 2012. http://www.ottawalightrail.ca/ [consulted April 2013]

Environmental Scan Workplace Trends: Emphasis on collaborative teamwork. Home offices and co-working spaces. Mobile workforce Ottawa s workforce is concentrated within the service sector, mainly in public administration, health care, and professional services. Accordingly, collaborative teamwork is now an essential skill in the 21st century workplace. The distinction between work and personal time is becoming unclear as employees are asking for more flexibility in their work schedules. The notion of the office now includes such spaces as the home office, coffee shops, and co-working spaces. The workforce is increasingly mobile, as cell phones, laptops, and tablets are connecting employees to their managers and their colleagues. Sources: Ottawa Police Service. Environmental Scan 2012. Stocker, Frances. Environmental Scan for Ontario Public Libraries. Prepared for Southern Ontario Library Service, November 2011.

Environmental Scan Literacy and Education: An educated society, yet... Increase in the proportion of adults with low literacy Full-day kindergarten by 2015. Internet use almost universal A high proportion of Ottawa residents, 85%, have a high school certificate or its equivalent. This figure is higher than the Ontario average (75%). By 2031, Ottawa will have the lowest proportion of adults with low literacy among Canada s four largest cities, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal. But it will also be the only city to experience an increase in the proportion of adults with low literacy. In 2010, 50% of workers in the Ottawa-Gatineau area had literacy skills below the level required by their occupations. All-day kindergarten was introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2010 and will be fully implemented by 2015. Finally, according to a study done on behalf of OPL, use of the internet is almost universal amongst the adult population (90%) with the vast majority of Internet users having home access. Sources: Ottawa Police Service. Environmental Scan 2012. Canadian Council on Learning. The Future of Literacy in Canada s Largest Cities, 2010. DataAngel Policy Research Incorporated. Literacy Report Card for the Census Metropolitan Area of Ottawa-Gatineau, 2010. Market Probe. Final Report, prepared for Ottawa Public Library, December, 2011.

Opportunities This quick environmental scan sets the stage to understanding that the Ottawa Public Library faces not only challenges but many new opportunities in the next few years. These opportunities are very much in line with its mission. Many new opportunities exist for the Library of the Future. All must fit together and revolve around serving the customer. Let s take a look at some of these opportunities.

Learning Increased digital content Information Commons Learning Labs Developing other literacies Technology centres The public library has always been a centre for learning. In the future, we can expect to see increased digital content, such as ebooks and digital video streaming. The concept of Information Commons is not new to libraries but is certainly gaining in popularity in some sectors. Wikipedia is a great example of a virtual information common. The use of a public library s space in partnership with a local university or college could provide a service dedicated to teaching and learning. Learning labs are often found in university settings and offer various tools such as online learning software to teach others or for individual learning activities. These could meet a need for literacy development, especially in the areas of financial, digital and basic literacy skills. Finally, technology centres could offer space for customers to learn basic or even advanced technology skills.

Leisure Increased digital content Quiet reflective spaces Gaming Online book clubs As with learning, leisure is at the heart of the public library s mission. The future will certainly see an increase in digital content. For example, online reading of newspapers has tripled in 2012 and the demand is expected to grow. There are already a couple of bookless public libraries in the United States. However, at the same time, there has been a resurgence in demand for quiet, reflective physical spaces. Gaming is very popular among children and teenagers. Finally, online book clubs offer an innovative way for clients to virtually engage around the traditional pastime of reading.

Community Development Outreach Reducing isolation Social inclusion Economic Development Partnerships From building collections to creating communities, libraries play a role in community development. Outreach efforts provide services for people within vulnerable sectors of the population. The Library plays a big role in breaking down social isolation and fostering social inclusion. Economic development is enhanced through its business and job-related programs. More can be done through increased partnerships and shared visions within our communities. Our spaces, our services and collections are accessible to all.

Creation Self publishing Co-working spaces Maker spaces 3D Printing Customer as a creator of content The Ottawa Public Library has always fostered creativity by providing quality resources and creativity-based programming. The Library could enhance its mission by becoming a centre for creation. The opportunities provided by self-publishing open a gateway to programming activities and use of space specifically designed for creation. The Library could provide coworking spaces and tools for office-less and/or self-employed workers that would rather work in collaboration than in isolation. The Library could offer Maker spaces where the emphasis is on a community of people sharing ideas and information as well as technology (e.g. 3D printing). In the Library, people can find a place, physical and virtual, to discover and to rediscover the creation and public sharing of knowledge.

Celebration Celebrate Ottawa Local history and genealogy collections Community Events The Library is a space for celebration. The Ottawa and Kanata rooms and the Nepean collection celebrate Ottawa by boasting local history collections that could be more readily available through the Library s website in one form or another. Our spaces can be used for local community events and festivals.

Choices Physical Library Digital Library Individual Library Community Library Collection Library Creation Library «Confronting the future: strategic visions for the 21st Century Public Library», ALA Policy Brief no. 4, June 2011. The future library also resides in making strategic choices. While the Library does not operate on one extreme of the spectrum or the other, it must choose where it stands on the continuum of these three strategic dimensions. The physical library relies entirely on physical space to provide services whereas the completely virtual library exists only on the Internet. The Library is being drawn more and more towards the virtual end point by the rapid pace of availability in digital content. The second strategic dimension lies on the focuses of its services and collections. At one extreme are services and collections purely focussed on the needs of the individual whereas in the opposite extreme, the services and collections are focussed purely on the community needs. Finally, the third dimension consists of the ways in which the Library serves its customers. At one extreme, the customer is simply a consumer of content whereas on the other extreme the customer is purely a creator of content.

Tell us! The Library offers a wealth of services, collections, programs, and spaces. Imagine the Library in five years and tell us: What should we continue doing? What should we start doing? What should we stop doing? New opportunities but also choices! This is why we are soliciting your opinion and consulting you on the future of the Library. The answers you provide to these questions will help us in deciding the roadmap to follow to ensure our continued relevance to the citizens of Ottawa. Tell us! What will be the biggest issues affecting your community, your place of work, your group or your family in the next 5 years? How can the Library respond to meeting your needs? What services and collections should the Library provide over the next 5 years? Where in the spectrum of the 3 dimensions should the Library reside? How do you think the Library will change over the next 5 years?

How To Participate? Online Ideas Campaign: post ideas, vote and comment on ideas From May 15 to June 15, 2013 www.biblioottawalibrary.ca YOU COULD WIN AN IPAD! How can you participate in the discussions? By posting an idea or commenting on an idea through its online ideas campaign which will be launched on May 15 and run until June 15, 2013. You can access the website by going to the Library s website.

To learn more! Follow these links to learn more about future opportunities for public libraries! Canadian Urban Libraries Council Futures: http://www.culc.ca/research/futures/ American Library Association Transforming Libraries: http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/ Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports Third Generation Public Libraries http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/publications/third_gen_libraries.pdf To learn more about how public libraries are changing, follow these links.

the Ottawa Public la Bibliothèque Library publique d Ottawa Info : imagine@biblioottawalibrary.ca *Crasner, Erin K. (2009). Imagine [Photograph].