As the public library of a remarkable national capital and a city of significant diversity and engaged citizens, OPL serves all residents within the 2,700 square km of the City of Ottawa. We have 33 branches across the city that are true community hubs providing educational and cultural activities; programming; gathering spaces to read, study, and work; information resources; and, various physical facilities such as free wifi-equipped meeting rooms at affordable rates. In addition, our Bookmobiles are scheduled strategically throughout Ottawa, to supplement our presence and increase accessibility.

Our website is a virtual branch where customers can access resources, including consulting more than 40 relevant online databases. In addition, customers can search the catalogue, request information, place holds, register for programs, manage their account, book meeting rooms, make an appointment with a librarian, and download or stream e-books, movies, and music.

We serve everyone from new parents and infants in our Babytime programs, to teens as part of our Teen Advisory Groups, to new entrepreneurs and business people, to older adults. We provide resources and support to help people learning and adapting to new technology. Our collections and programs target the needs of all ages and they respond to the interests of diverse cultural and linguistic groups. At all times, we ensure that our services are accessible to people with specific needs and challenges.

As the largest library in Eastern Ontario, many people in the neighbouring regions make use of our services. We offer non-resident cards for those who do not reside in Ottawa but want to draw on the extraordinary assets of one of the best libraries and the largest bilingual (English/French) public library system in North America.