OTTAWA – City Council has approved the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) 2023 budget of $58.745M, an increase of $2.410M over 2022, which includes funding for both operating and capital activities.
OPL Board Chair and Councillor for Orléans East-Cumberland ward Matthew Luloff said: "I am very happy with this budget; it will allow the Library to better deliver services to vulnerable and equity-deserving groups in line with its values of community and inclusion."
The 2023 budget features key investments that will help OPL increase access to Library services and reduce barriers, specifically:
- the establishment of a team focused on community development with an investment of approximately $360K. This will lead to the creation of two new full-time positions and increased base funding for broad initiatives across the city.
- funding to work with experts to conduct a brand review of OPL, including public engagement.
- nearly $10M in funding for capital projects, including the new Riverside South branch, the initial investment in the new Barrhaven branch, and for other facilities-related improvements at OPL’s existing branches.
- funding to develop service strategies in support of the Service Delivery Framework, which will include actively engaging the public on the development.
OPL’s Chief Librarian / CEO Sonia Bebbington said: OPL’s Chief Librarian / CEO Sonia Bebbington said: "We appreciate the Board and City Council’s support of this budget which will help to shape the future of OPL in important ways, including in community development work. Staff expertise is the most impactful resource we can allocate, and we have heard from the community a desire to work in closer partnership: this budget sets the direction to meet that need."
The budget also includes changes to user fees based on a staff-led review in 2022. This will result in a two per cent increase in commercial meeting room rental rates as well as an adjustment to replacement costs for express collection museum, ski, and park passes.