Official Languages

Effective May 2026

Purpose:

To ensure that all services are offered and provided in both English and French by Ottawa Public Library (OPL), in alignment with the OPL Board Policy 020-OPLB Official Languages.

Statement:

OPL recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status, and privileges. This policy reflects the Library’s commitment to inclusion and public service excellence. OPL’s commitment to official languages is demonstrated through the following areas of focus:

Public services:

  • Ensure clients can receive services in the official language of their choice, by making an active offer of bilingual services and ensuring that email signatures, out of office messages, and voicemail recording are bilingual.
  • Ensure that services intended for one official language group be developed and delivered by employees having appropriate language fluency.
  • Ensure that collection displays are available in both official languages and adhere to the Collection Displays Guidelines. 
  • Ensure that program information is available in both official languages online, clearly indicating the language(s) in which the program will be delivered. In-branch posters for programs will be printed in the language in which they are offered.
  • Designate an annual amount of the materials budget to French language materials based on data sets for French language use in Ottawa, including Statistics Canada census data.
  • Designate an annual amount of the programming budget to French language programs based on data sets for French language use in Ottawa, including Statistics Canada census data.
  • Publish all corporate communications intended for the public in both official languages.
  • OPLs recognized translation services must be used to ensure high quality of content in both official languages.

Support for employees: 

  • Offer employees the opportunity to work in the official language of their choice, except where it conflicts with public services requirements.
  • Ensure internal communications (system-wide email & intranet (Agora) posts) be available in both official languages. 
  • Offer training for employees to improve official language skills, based on resources and operational need.
  • Provide employee training in English, with French training offered where feasible, based on resources and operational needs.