CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S
REPORT
Sundays in June
The CEO announced that,
starting June 6, 2021 and barring any provincial restrictions, the following
six branches will be open on Sundays for curbside service: Beaverbrook,
Cumberland, Greenboro, Main, Nepean Centrepointe, and Ruth E. Dickinson.
Sunday hours at these branches will continue up to and including June 27,
2021, which will provide residents with options for Sunday library service in
locations spread across the City’s geography. More information on hours can
be found on the website under Hours and Locations. Ms. McDonald also pointed
out that many Library services are also available 24/7 through the Library’s website.
Update: Chromebooks and
Printing
The CEO indicated OPL
began offering two new services last week. Customers can now submit a
printing request via an online form and pick up their document from their
branch the following business day. Also, as part of ongoing efforts to
improve digital inclusion, customers can now borrow Chromebooks and WiFi
hotspots at branches, for 3-hours loan periods. Customers can book a
Chromebook the same way they would book a public computer, at a branch or via
the OPL website. These services will be tested during the current provincial
shutdown period.
Sir Richard Scott
Building, Fifth Floor
As you may recall, Slate
Properties purchased the Main branch in 2014, including the administrative
offices on the fourth and fifth floors, which OPL now rents. Ms. McDonald
reminded trustees that this purchase helped fund the construction for the new
central library. Earlier this year, Slate Properties provided OPL with notice
to vacate the fifth floor of the Sir Richard Scott Building, as per the
agreement. Ms. McDonald said staff in Anna Basile’s Corporate Services
Division have been preparing for the notice for quite some time and stepped
up to the plate quickly when the news arrived. It was nonetheless a
significant amount of work to arrange for all employee workspaces on the floor
to be packed up, moved, and the furniture dismantled. The CEO thanked Anna
Basile, Jennifer Calhoun, Michael Gelinas, Jane Koutras, Simon Legault,
Matthew Pritz, Elizabeth Sampson, Chris Simmons, Leslie Stobbart, and City IT
for their tremendous work on this project, with special kudos to Elizabeth,
Leslie, and Simon for leading the project. The CEO also acknowledged all the
employees who had to pack their offices and workspace up for the move. She
said staff working on that floor have successfully been relocated to other locations
or will be once they return to in-person work.
Comment about a Staff
Blog: Poet Laureates
The CEO indicated that
Celia Rheault, a Public Service Assistant at OPL, created blog posts about
both the new French and English poet laureates: Albert “South Wind” Dumont
and Gilles Latour. In her blog post about Gilles Latour, Celia highlighted
his roots, his education, and his humanitarianism and international
development work. She said Mr. Latour’s poetry has earned him numerous
nominations over the years including the Trillium Poetry Prize, the City of
Ottawa Literary Award and the Prix Le Droit. The blog post about Mr. Dumont
notes that he hails from traditional Algonquin Territory at Kitigan Zibi, and
highlights how his deep respect for nature shines through in his work. Celia’s
blog post also mentions Mr. Dumont’s eclectic array of experiences, including
participating in OPL programming, and serving his community as an Elder with
the Parole Board of Canada. Ms. McDonald indicated that Celia received a
sweet comment from Mr. Dumont about her blog post that said: “I am very moved
by your poem and write-up on me. You did your research, and you let your
humanity look into my soul. Your article is a keeper!”. The CEO congratulated
Celia for her wonderful writing. The announcement of the poet laureates was
an excellent ending to Poetry Month in April. Ms. McDonald shared her love of
poetry and one of her favorite poems. The writings of the poets laureate and
other great poets can be found in OPL’s collection.
May is Asian Heritage
Month
The CEO said throughout
May, OPL will be offering online storytimes hosted by library staff that will
feature titles that celebrate Asian heritage. OPL will also present other virtual
programming events, and the website will feature recommended reads that
celebrate Asian authors, culture, and heritage. She said between May 17-21,
2021, OPL will be hosting a Social Media Swap on the Teen Instagram Page,
where OPL will invite five special guests representing the Asian community to
share posts throughout the week. The CEO indicated that each post will
address a different topic: Connections the guests have to the Asian
community; Addressing anti-Asian racism and how to be an ally; and Asian
themed books, authors, and films. She shared information on three other
programs, which can be found on OPL’s website.
|