Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is expanding the eligibility criteria for a free library membership to better serve Indigenous communities! This initiative offers full access to all OPL services at no cost for certain eligible Anishinābe Algonquin, First Nation, Inuit, and Métis peoples, even if they reside outside Ottawa’s municipal boundaries, specifically on the Quebec side of the Kichi Zibi watershed. Indigenous people who live in Ottawa’s municipal boundaries already have access to free library membership.
Why is OPL launching this initiative?
As a public service provider that operates on the unceded and ancestral territory of the Anishinābe Algonquin Nations, OPL recognizes the responsibility it holds as a public institution to affirm Indigenous presence and rights in this territory and reduce barriers to access for all members of our community.
In 2021 OPL implemented an official land acknowledgment statement that was developed in full collaboration with Anishinābe Algonquin Nation partners. This land acknowledgment statement is read by OPL staff at all public meetings, events, and programs, as well as at internal staff gatherings. This statement has given OPL staff an opportunity to reflect on their own relationship to the lands on which OPL operates and is aligned with our organizational commitment to advancing Truth and Reconciliation through the 94 Calls to Action and the importance of doing this is in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) .
In 2025, the Indigenous Library Membership Initiative was brought forward through the advocacy of Indigenous peoples and represents an important step in OPL taking meaningful action in response to our land acknowledgment and commitment to the work of truth and reconciliation.
Many Indigenous people have faced historic and ongoing challenges that make it harder to access public services, and their rights to freely move and access services across their traditional territories have been disrupted by imposed municipal and provincial borders. Offering free membership is one way Ottawa Public Library can support inclusion and equity, especially in spaces where Indigenous communities have been excluded or underserved because of colonial systems.
Who is eligible for a library Membership through this initiative?
Anishinābe Algonquin, First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people who live outside Ottawa’s municipal boundaries have access to a free library membership if they:
- Live on-reserve in Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg First Nation and Pikwakanagan First Nation.
- Reside in the Ottawa-Gatineau region, specifically the Quebec side of the Kichi Zibi.
Indigenous people who live in Ottawa’s municipal boundaries already have access to a free library membership.
I qualify! How can I register for an Indigenous Library Membership?
To get a free Ottawa Public Library card, eligible Anishinābe Algonquin, First Nation, Inuit, and Métis people must:
- Go in person to an Ottawa Public Library location
- Show photo identification and proof of address
- Inform library staff that they are Indigenous
If you have questions or need accessibility support, please contact us.
Please note that if you live within the municipal boundaries of Ottawa, you are already eligible for a free library membership, and you do not need to self-identify as Indigenous.
What will my new library card give me access to?
Library cards provided through the Indigenous Library Membership initiative provide access to all of Ottawa Public Library’s services at no cost. This includes all physical and digital collections, as well as Homebound Services and services and collections for people with disabilities.
Why does this initiative only include two on-reserve communities?
Kitigan Zibi Anishinaabeg First Nation and Pikwakanagan First Nation are being prioritized in the current phase of the Indigenous Library Membership initiative due to their active partnership in the Ādisōke project, OPL’s new Central Branch. These two communities were selected by Anishinābe Algonquin leadership to represent the Nation in early consultations. While this collaboration currently centers on these two First Nations, OPL recognizes that true Truth and Reconciliation must include all eleven Anishinābe Algonquin communities. Future phases of the initiative will involve broader consultation and efforts to improve access for remote and rural Indigenous communities.
I don't qualify. Will you be expanding this initiative?
We recognize that there may be Indigenous individuals who do not meet the criteria for free membership under this version of the Indigenous Library Membership Initiative. As part of the work of Truth and Reconciliation OPL is committed to continually innovating and adapting our approach to free membership for Indigenous community members. If you are an Indigenous community member who is not eligible for free membership at this time, we want you to know we are committed to working with you to see what other options are available and we strongly encourage you to connect with us by phone, email, or chat , or in person at a branch or bookmobile stop.
We recognize that being responsive to Indigenous community priorities, needs, and experiences is at the heart of this work, and we will continue the work to ensure future refinements to this initiative continue to respond to the diversity of situations and experiences of Indigenous peoples in this region.
What is Indigenous self-identification?
Indigenous self-identification allows individuals to identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis based on their personal understanding of their heritage and community ties, without needing to provide proof or validation. For the Library’s Indigenous membership, self-identification alone is sufficient to access services.
Why does this initiative use Indigenous self-identification?
Identity frameworks like the Indian Act or blood quantum are colonial in nature and create additional barriers.
While acknowledging that Indigenous identity is complex and sometimes contested, OPL does not claim authority over defining it. OPL’s use of self-identification for the Indigenous Library Membership initiative honors Indigenous concepts of belonging, which are grounded in lived experience, kinship, and community recognition. The Library’s role is to offer inclusive, low-barrier access to services while respecting and making space for Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
Who can I contact for help or information?
If you have questions or need help with registration, please contact us