OTTAWA – City council approved the Ottawa Public Library’s (OPL) nearly $53 million budget today (Dec. 11) during this morning’s council meeting.

The OPL budget envelope for 2020 is $52​.954 million, which includes funding for operating and capital expenses.

“The approved budget is focused on improving branch facilities and consistency of hours across all regions of Ottawa, responding to public feedback,” Chair of the OPL Board and Councillor for Beacon Hill-Cyrville Tim Tierney said.

The 2020 budget will fund maintenance of facilities and operational assets and requirements. It will also enable “modest but crucial growth and selected enhancements” in library services including increased Friday hours at the Ruth E. Dickinson branch to align services in south west Ottawa with other regions.

The budget includes modest increases to the collections in order to help address challenges faced by all public libraries in purchasing eBooks for customers. The majority of OPL’s capital allocation in 2020 will be directed towards facilities, specifically to explore options to address a deteriorating branch in Metcalfe Village, as well as secure Development Charge funds for a branch serving the Riverside South area. Further details are available on the OPL website.

The OPL is the largest bilingual public library system in North America, with 34 branches, physical and virtual, as well as mobile libraries, and a vending machine-style library service. OPL’s mission is to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and connect people. Follow OPL on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Contact us at 613-580-2940 or InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.