Commemorative Naming & Order of Friendship Recipients

Order of Friendship

The Board of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) maintains the Order of Friendship to recognize exceptional volunteer contributions made to support the OPL by individuals, groups, and / or institutions. Eligible contributions are those that have a measurable impact, and improve the OPL’s ability to deliver services to the community, furthering the OPL’s mission.

The Order of Friendship recipient(s) are honoured with a framed certificate and a gift. The Order of Friendship is a one-time achievement and is awarded in the second and fourth years of the term of the Board.

To find out more on the policy and parameters for consideration, please contact:

Board@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca

The Order of Friendship was first granted at the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the OPL in 1981.

Order of Friendship recipients from 2016 to current:

• 2022 - The Anishinābe Algonquin Host Nation communities of Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi Honooured for their instrumental input into shaping the design of Ādisōke, and for supporting OPL in advancing the organization's reconciliation and deconolization efforts.
• 2020 – The United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMO-OG) Honoured for their role in supporting Ottawa residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging 250+ volunteers for a variety of projects; and, their role in supporting the OPL’s pandemic response, by helping deliver Summer Reading Club Make-It-Kits to vulnerable children aged 6 to 12.
• 2018 – Helen Tweddle (Posthumous) Honoured for her role as a founding member of the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA); her role as a founding member of the Cumberland FOPLA bookstore called the Bookworm; her role as a true community builder and pioneer; and her overall support of the Ottawa Public Library.
• 2016 – Colin Plows Honoured for his role as a long-time volunteer with the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA); his role as President of the FOPLA; and, his overall support of the Ottawa Public Library.

Past recipients include:

• Ernest Côté - In recognition of his outstanding contribution to library services in Ottawa, as a former trustee (1977-1988) and chair (1981-1982, 1986-1987) of the Board of Directors of OPL, and also for his work with FOPLA.
• Rafael Martial Côté - In recognition of his exceptional contributions as the volunteer coordinator of the Computer Room (1994-2000).
• Councillor Diane Deans, City of Ottawa - In recognition of the oustanding role she has played as an advocate for the establishment of a branch library in the south end of Ottawa.
• Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA) - In recognition of the oustanding contribution the Association has made to library services in Ottawa.
• George Granger - In recognition of his support of the Library through his volunteer work with FOPLA in managing the Ex Libris bookstore.
• Michael Hayes - In recognition of his support of the Library his volunteer work with FOPLA in the establishment of the Ex Libris bookstore.
• Paul Labarge, founding partner of the law firm, La Barge Weinstein - In recogntion of his work in chairing the organizing committee for the Alistair MacLeod Gala.
• Looking good, Carlingwood Fundraising Committee (Co-chairs Len Potechin and Councillor Ron Kolbus, and members Wendy Blondeau, Jena Cameron, Missy Hillman, Chris Jekel, Bill Jory, Lewis Levy, Gale Murphy, Bruce Robinson, Joan Shouldice, and Eileen Wilson) - In recognition of the oustanding contribution members made to library services in their community.
• Russell A. Mills, Publisher, The Ottawa Citizen - In recognition of the support the Ottawa Citizen has given the Library's fundraising initiatives and the lead role it has played in the promotion of reading and life-long learning in Ottawa-Carleton.
• Honourable Mitchell Sharp, PC, President, FOPLA - In recognition of the imporant he has made to library services as President of FOPLA Trust Fund.
• The Ottawa Municipal Chapter, IODE - In recognition of their oustanding contribution to the establishment of the Library's Home Reader Service (later re-named Homebound Services) by donating a van used to bring books and other materials to clients, and in recognition also of donations of money from various local chapters of the IODE for the purchase of cassette tapes and players.
• Public Nurses with the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program - In recognition of their partnership with OPL to deliver kits for the 1,2,3 Read With Me Program to families of newborns during prenatal visits.
• Linda Sherlow Lowdon, former CEO of the Kanata Public Library - In recognition of her oustanding job as the Manager of Transition until her retirement.
• Dick Stewart, General Manager, People Services Department, City of Ottawa - In appreciation of his oustanding support and promotion of the Library.
• Malcolm Macmillan Thomson - In recognition of his support of library services and programs over a period of twenty years. Mr. Thomson, author of "The Beginning of the Long Dash: A History of Timekeeping in Canada", was, before his retirement, Head of Time and Frequency Division, National Research Council of Canada.

Commemorative Naming

The Board of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) aligns with the City’s criteria and process for the commemorative naming of spaces within OPL buildings (including mobile units).

The City’s policy, in place since 2001, is based on a commitment “to providing a fair, consistent and efficient process, while respecting the important need for public consultation and legislative approvals, with respect to commemorative naming.”

To find out more about commemorative naming at OPL, please contact:

Board@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca

Commemorative names previously approved by the Board:

• Daniel Poliquin Program Room: Rideau branch Ward 12 (Rideau-Vanier). Approval April 12, 2022, reason for Commemoration: In recognition of demonstrated excellence to the citizens of the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario and / or Canada.
• Helen Tweddle Children’s Program Room (posthumous): Cumberland branch Ward 19 (Cumberland). Approval March 2020, reason for Commemoration: Extensive community service to the Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA), as well as many other community organizations in her home neighborhood of Queenswood Heights.
• Grace Thompson Room: Stittsville branch Ward 6 (Stittsville-Kanata West). Approval April 2017, reason for Commemoration: In recognition of historical significance to the community of Stittsville.
• Dolorès and Marcel Bériault Room (Renaming): Orleans branch Ward 2 (Innes). Approval April 2017, reason for Commemoration Dedication of its founders Dolorès and Marcel who were recognized for their service in 1978 when the Gloucester Public Library Commission named the Orléans branch “Bériault.” When the branch was moved in 1993 to its current location at 1705 Orléans Boulevard, the room did not reflect both names, it was simply named “Bériault.”
• Carol Parker Reading Room: Greely branch Ward 20 (Osgoode). Approval 2016, reason for Commemoration: In recognition of extensive community service.
• Patricia Leduc Room: Orleans branch Ward 2 (Innes). Approval December 2013, reason for Commemoration: In commemoration of the exceptional community service and involvement.
• Claude B. Aubry Room: St-Laurent branch Ward 13 (Rideau-Rockcliffe). Approval September 2012, reason for Commemoration: In commemoration of the historical significance to Ottawa.
• Lori Nash Room: Cumberland branch Ward 19 (Cumberland) Approval February 2011, reason for Commemoration: In commemoration of the historical significance to Ottawa.

Note: The Traszha Macdowall Room located at the Emerald Plaza branch was approved by the Nepean Public Library Board in 1988.