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Some in-branch programs require registration with your library card. Please log in with your library account or follow this link to apply for a card online. You can also apply for a card in person at any of our 33 locations.

  • Wednesday May 15, 2024 at 6:30pm
    90 minutes

    2024 will be one of the most consequential years in the history of democracy. Elections have been or will be held in many countries ranging in size and power from El Salvador to India. The decisions of voters will determine whether the worldwide growth in authoritarianism over the past twenty years will continue or democracy will begin to make a comeback.

    The US Presidential and Congressional elections on Tuesday November 5 stand out as an especially critical democratic moment for two reasons: first because they will be a supreme test of American democracy; and second because they will send a powerful message to the rest of the world, including the dictatorships and wannabe dictatorships.

    The group will discuss the background and issues of Democracy on Trial and week by week follow the important democratic events and developments of 2024.

    Mr. Robert Miller will lead the discussion. He is the author of Canada and Democratic Development and, prior to his retirement, served as President and CEO of the Parliamentary Centre, Canada’s leading institution promoting and supporting international democratic development.

    Session #1 Wednesday, April 3: Is History Repeating Itself?

    Session #2, Wednesday April 10: Democratic Fatigue and the Appeal of the Strong Man

    Session #3, Wednesday, April 17: Big Countries and Small: The Cases of El Salvador and Rwanda, Russia and India

    Session # 4, Wednesday, April 24: The Fire Next Door: The Authoritarian Impulse in the United States

    Session #5, Wednesday, May 1: Donald Trump and the Invention of Trumpism

    Session #6, Wednesday, May 8: Can it Happen Here? If Trump wins, is Canada next? A discussion with John Ibbitson, Globe and Mail columnist and one of Canada’s leading authors on politics and public affairs.

    Registration recommended.   

  • Thursdays, May 16, 2024 - May 30, 2024
    1:00pm
    90 minutes

    3 sessions remaining

    Ready for more than conversation? These 4-week module classes will help build on your English language skills. Beginner and Intermediate sessions. Each session's registration will open three (3) weeks prior to the first class. 

    Everyone welcome! Register online.  

    You are registering for: Beginner classes : May 2, 9,16 and 23 2024

    Vous cherchez un peu plus qu'une conversation? Nos classes en format module de 4 semaines vous aideront à développer vos compétences linguistiques en anglais. Sessions au niveau débutant ainsi qu'intermédiaire. Ouverture des inscriptions trois (3) semaines avant la première classe pour chaque session. 

    Tous sont bienvenus ! Inscription en ligne.  

    Vous vous enregistrez pour: session débutant: les 2, 9,16 et 23 mai 2024

  • Thursdays, May 16, 2024 - May 30, 2024
    1:00pm
    90 minutes

    3 sessions remaining

    Ready for more than conversation? These 4-week module classes will help build on your English language skills. Beginner and Intermediate sessions. Each session's registration will open three (3) weeks prior to the first class. 

    Everyone welcome! Register online.  

    You are registering for: Intermediate classes : May 2, 9, 16 and 23 2024

    Vous cherchez un peu plus qu'une conversation? Nos classes en format module de 4 semaines vous aideront à développer vos compétences linguistiques en anglais. Sessions au niveau débutant ainsi qu'intermédiaire. Ouverture des inscriptions trois (3) semaines avant la première classe pour chaque session. 

    Tous sont bienvenus ! Inscription en ligne.  

    Vous vous enregistrez pour: session intermédiaire: les 2, 9, 16 et 23 mai 2024

  • Thursdays, May 16, 2024 - Jun 13, 2024
    6:30pm
    90 minutes

    5 sessions remaining

    Sorry this event and its waiting list are full

    Do you love to write? Is writing the air you breathe, or is there ink in your veins?

    The Stittsville Creative Writing Group is a collection of people who love to write.

    We meet weekly to read from text we have written on our own time during the previous week, and engage in other writing activities.

    This is not a class on writing, or a workshop for manuscripts. Instead, we are people who love to write and share our works. 

    There are those who mostly listen rather than write, those who write prolifically but only share with the group, and a broad spectrum in between.

    If your interest is in the love of writing, this group may be for you.

  • Sleuth Hounds

    Thursdays, May 16, 2024 - Jun 20, 2024
    7:00pm
    90 minutes

    2 sessions remaining

    Join us to discuss books from the science fiction and fantasy genres each month.  All are welcome! 

    Every 3rd Thursday of the month from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

    Here's what we're reading spring/summer 2024:

    Please note: Registrants are responsible for securing a copy of the book to read or listen to.

  • Banner reading "Dried Flower Suncatchers at the Beaverbrook Branch"

    Saturday May 18, 2024 at 3:00pm
    60 minutes

    Sorry this event and its waiting list are full

    Celebrate sunny days ahead by hanging a kaleidoscope of natural materials in your window. Join us at the Beaverbrook Branch for a beautiful craft, calm atmosphere, and good conversation. 

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    Wednesday May 22, 2024 at 6:00pm
    60 minutes

    Join us for the ultimate armchair travel around Europe. The European Book Club is offered in partnership with European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) in Ottawa to promote contemporary European authors and their works. A book title from an EU country is selected for discussion each month.

    Author Viveca Sten will be in attendance.

    Photo by Peter Knutson.

  • Saturday May 25, 2024 at 1:00pm
    90 minutes

    Agents, editors, and professors of creative writing make a big deal about point of view (POV). As well, different POVs sound and feel different to the reader, POV comes in different flavors: first person, second person, third person limited, omniscient, objective; and different cases: past and present; and different depths. Furthermore, you can use different POVs in different sections of a story to achieve different effects. Deft management of POV in your stories will make your writing more professional and more appealing to readers.

  • Saturday May 25, 2024 at 2:00pm
    60 minutes

    Sorry this event and its waiting list are full

    Create your own magnets and bookmarks using bottle caps and images from paper, photographs, and fabric.

  • Monday May 27, 2024 at 6:30pm
    60 minutes

    Calling all quiz masters! Test your knowledge with live general trivia at the Stittsville branch of the Ottawa Public Library!

    Come for the fun, leave with the bragging rights!

    Register a team of two to five people, come and enjoy!