OTTAWA – As part of its phased approach to resuming physical services, Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is pleased to announce the return of popular collection items in December.

“Starting Monday, Dec. 14, Customers will once again be able to borrow instruments from the Musical Instrument Lending Library,” the OPL released in a statement last week. “These instruments are available at the Cumberland, Greenboro, Main, and Nepean Centrepointe branches.”

Museum passes will also be available on the Express shelves of all open branches that offer browsing. They will not be available at branches offering returns and holds pickup service only.

“Telescopes will be available to borrow again, with an additional 12 telescopes being added to our collection,” the OPL said. “Details on where and how to borrow the telescopes will be available on the OPL website soon.”

In the next few weeks, OPL will be receiving NCC Gatineau Park Winter Passes, for access to skiing, snowshoeing, and snow biking trails in Gatineau Park.

“To encourage outdoor activities this year, the NCC has very generously provided an additional 30 passes for our customers to enjoy the outdoors,” the OPL said. “The OPL will also be receiving City of Ottawa ski passes. NCC Gatineau Park Winter Passes and City of Ottawa ski passes will be available on the Express shelves of branches offering browsing at this time.”

OPL is partnering with the Royal Astronomical Society to initiate OPL customers to the night sky with tips on how to set up and use telescopes.

“The OPL is also happy to be partnering with the City of Ottawa to offer outdoor programming in priority neighbourhoods this coming winter,” OPL staff said. “Details on these programs and resources will be shared with the public in the next few weeks.”

The health and safety of employees and customers remains OPL’s priority. As with items from other collections, items from these collections will be quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours when they are returned.

OPL continues to follow direction from the Province of Ontario and guidance from Ottawa Public Health to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

For additional details on current services, please visit BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.