Ottawa library reveals new 'third space' rebrand vision
More Ottawa residents hold OPL cards than at any point in the last decade, yet fewer are walking through the door.
By Abyssinia Abebe, Ottawa Citizen
Published May 10, 2026
Amidst a decline in physical book rentals and in-person visits to its 33 branches, the Ottawa Public Library is doubling down on a rebrand. One that positions it as a “third space” for clients.
In its 2025 end-of-year report, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) said the last year was spent laying the groundwork to approve and move forward with a new brand, which was officially unveiled in January this year.
The move is meant to go “beyond visual identity,” according to Orléans East-Cumberland Coun. Matthew Luloff, who is also board chair for the OPL.
The rebrand is intended to bring to life the core values of the library, which is to go beyond the books and to build a sense of community by being “a third space”, according to Luloff’s message in the report.
But what has prompted this identity rebrand? The OPL’s 2025 end-of-year report provides an interesting insight.
In 2025, the OPL reported a decrease in physical borrowed books and in-person visits from the year before, while web-related activities saw a spike.
There was a total of 3.5 million in-person visits to OPL branches in 2025, a one per cent decline from 2024. Similarly, physical items borrowed saw a four per cent decline to 7.9 million.
Meanwhile, website visits increased (13.8 million) by 19 per cent from 2024, with a nine per cent increase in borrowed eBooks and eAudiobooks (3.2 million) from the year before.
The more notable increase, though, was the spike in wireless services, where “self-directed” tools saw a 119 per cent increase, with 1.3 million wireless logins, compared to 2024, according to the report.
This included the OPL’s new quick-access digital stations that were placed in some library branches to make it easier for people to search and locate items without waiting to access a computer.
Despite the rise in remote activity, the OPL spent 2025 upholding its vision to be a third space. In 2025, the OPL reported its staff delivered 721 one-on-one appointments both in person and virtually, “with the majority taking place in person.”
According to the report, employees “play a vital role in connecting the community to knowledge, services and experiences.”
There were a total of more than 51,000 phone calls that year, 4,399 chats and more than 5,000 emails answered by the Info Service.
This conscious effort to connect with the Ottawa community was also visible through programs, workshops and events, which were attended by a total of 202,638 people.
The OPL has also been investing in the capital’s “super library,” which is the new central branch of Ādisōke at 555 Albert St.
The new library was slated to open this summer, but was delayed despite ongoing construction. The reason for the delay is unclear.
The 2025 report revealed that a campaign raised nearly $2 million to support enhancements to technology, programming and the visitor experience at the Central branch at Ādisōke.
“With the structure complete and the building enclosed, work is now focused on detailed interior work,” read the report, adding that all-bird-friendly windows that showcased Indigenous public art commissions have been installed.
“Significant progress has been achieved on the building’s exterior, including final stonework, wood siding, roof work and solar panels.”
As of 2025, there were 268,297 active cardholders, according to the report.
More than 24 per cent of Ottawa residents are active library cardholders, which the report says was the highest percentage in over a decade.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-public-library-rebrand
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