Ottawa – Ottawa Public Library has received another major gift to its Unlock Potential fundraising campaign for the future Central branch at Ādisōke.
Ms. Jane Beaumont, a long-time advocate of library services for persons with vision loss and print disabilities, and the past chair of the CNIB National Board of Directors and the CNIB Library Board, has donated $250,000 through the Cajole Inn Fund she set up within the Ottawa Community Foundation. Ms. Beaumont’s generous donation will support accessibility services and technology for persons with vision loss and print disabilities at the future Central branch at Ādisōke.
“This is an exceptionally generous gift and a meaningful contribution to our community. Libraries are for everyone and OPL plays a critical role providing accessible services and resources. With Ms. Beaumont’s gift, we will be able to provide leading edge accessible services and technology for people with print disabilities and vision loss. We are so grateful”, commented the Chair of the OPL Board, Councilor Matthew Luloff.
"OPL has a long history of supporting library services to persons with print disabilities and was an important supporter of the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) from the start. I am delighted to support the plans to ensure the Central branch at Ādisōke continues that tradition", said Ms. Jane Beaumont.
With this major gift, Ms. Jane Beaumont has invested in the biggest city-building project of our generation. By supporting the Unlock Potential fundraising campaign for the future Central branch, donors are supporting a lively, informed, and prosperous community.
About the Unlock Potential Fundraising Campaign
Central libraries have transformed cities such as Helsinki, Doha, Austin, Calgary, and Halifax.
Ottawa now has the opportunity for its own transformational Central branch that will contribute to the cultural and economic success of the city.
In a central location on the historic LeBreton Flats, OPL’s new Central branch will be both a catalyst for development in this area, and a lively community hub that will provide access to:
- The latest creative technologies
- Spaces to work and study
- High-quality literacy programs
- Events with local and national artists
- Exceptional collections
By offering everyone – free of charge – the books, programs, spaces, and tools, and help they need to learn, find a job, connect with others, develop language skills, and stay informed, public libraries have a long history of supporting education, democracy, culture and are a highly valued public service.
The new Central branch, part of the Ādisōke Joint Facility with Library and Archives Canada, will capture the imagination of Ottawa residents and visitors from across Canada and beyond. It will offer an interactive experience that is both local and national through its striking design, sustainable architectural footprint, and special programs and services.
Throughout the planning and design of Ādisōke, we have been working with the Anishinābe Algonquin Host Nation, which gave us the name for the facility. We and our partners will continue to work collaboratively with the Anishinābe Algonquin Nation and other First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals and organizations from across the country in an active spirit of reconciliation.
We are raising funds to make the new Central branch come alive with exciting spaces, high-quality and inclusive programming, and new, high-tech tools and resources to spark creativity and inspire learning at any age.