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Material Distribution Application

The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) distributes and posts pamphlets, flyers, newspapers, posters and other free material in accordance with the Library’s mission statement and the Canadian Library Association’s Statement on Intellectual Freedom. We will do our best to meet your needs but branch space and staff time for this free service is limited.

Material that is Acceptable for OPL posting

  • Items of general community interest in the areas of literacy, education, recreation, arts and culture
  • Community events, including fundraising events for non-profit organizations
  • Community special interest bulk publications
  • Material written in English, French or in both official languages

Material that is Not Acceptable for OPL posting

  • Partisan or political material for individual political parties or candidates
  • Advertisements, private notices or solicitations for business
  • Petitions
  • Materials relating to events/activities taking place outside the City of Ottawa
  • Posters and materials larger than 8.5x11 inches
  • Material violating the Ontario Human Rights Code
  • Material omitting essential information such as date, time, place or fee
  • Material that promotes a specific faith

Priority

  • OPL is a bilingual institution and will give priority to bilingual material, particularly if it is intended for branches that serve a large bilingual population.
  • Priority is given to material produced by OPL, Friends of OPL Association, City of Ottawa and items that are relevant to Library customers.
  • Priority is given to events and programs that are free.

Format

Posters

  • Size must be a maximum of 8.5 x 11 inches (horizontal or vertical orientation)
  • Provide one poster per branch
  • If the poster is double sided, allow two posters per branch

Documents

  • pamphlets
  • flyers
  • brochures
  • bookmarks

Material must be

  • pre-bundled according to the quantity chart
  • each bundle must be firmly labelled with a branch location

Conditions

  • While OPL may distribute or post material, this does not imply that OPL endorses its content.
  • Materials distributed centrally for posting must be approved by the Communications team by sending an electronic copy of the item to Communications@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
  • Materials distributed centrally does not guarantee that material will be posted in branches. Branches decide what to post based on local interest and space.
  • Two weeks must be allowed for the material to get to the branches.
  • For the distribution of institutional booklets (CRA’s tax preparation guide, Take it Back! Buy Local, School board course listings), please contact Communications@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca to discuss possible increase of copies per branch.
  • Material that is dropped off without the following will be recycled:
    • a copy of the distribution approval e-mail from Communications@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
    • required bundling and labelling
    • the package addressed to Ottawa Public Library, Distribution, Mailcode 24-661
Agreement
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The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Public Libraries Act and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information will only be used for the proper administration of the Library and the provision of Library services and programs by Ottawa Public Library. Questions related to the collection of this personal information should be directed to the CEO’s office, Ottawa Public Library, 191 Laurier Ave West, 4th floor, Ottawa, ON, K1P 1E7.