It’s Your Grandmother’s Library and It’s Yours Too

When you enter a library do you instantly feel the need to be quiet, to stand a little straighter and avoid making eye contact with the person at the desk? Maybe you have bad childhood memories of being shushed by the mean librarian who made you feel unwelcome and that you didn’t belong there. If the library is a place you avoid like the plague you really are missing out. It is my hope to correct a few library misconceptions and encourage you to stop by your local library, because it is YOUR library (and your grandmother's too).

1. A Library Card is Free!
   Many people ask if there is a fee to get a library card but if you live in SDG, just bring proof of address and we will set you up with a library card. No cost!
2. The Library Has More Than Books
   Once you get your own library card you can take out books. For free. But not only books. You can take out movies and tv series (for free) and have access to online magazines and newspapers (for free). Maybe you want to try an instrument but not ready to invest, why not borrow from the library? Maybe you are into board games, or want to be. Check out our new and amazing collection and play away. Want to explore some of the local or Ottawa museums? We have passes for those too and you guessed it, you can borrow them for free as well. There are tremendous amounts of resources available to you. Just come to your nearest branch and we will be happy to help you. Which leads to my next point. 
3. We Want to Help You!
   Patrons often see that our library service workers appear focused and busy at the desk. I’ve seen people look anxiously at the desk and then look away as if deciding if they will “bug” us or not. We want to help! You are not bothering us! While we do many tasks at our computer stations and always have something on the go, we are not too busy for you! We are not the scary librarians you’ve seen on TV or remember from childhood, I promise! (We are actually nice!). It’s our job to help and we love it! Please don’t be afraid to approach us.
4. The Library is for Everyone and there is a Program for You!
   I imagine you have an image in your mind of who uses the library. Erase that. The library is for everyone and when you come yourself, you will find that that is true. From infants to seniors, we are all here. There is something for everyone. Our collection is diverse and expansive. Don’t see what you want on the shelf? We are on it. Maybe it’s at one of our other library branches and we can order it in for you and it will be delivered in our cool courier truck (you've seen it around). Or you can put in a purchase request or order through Interlibrary loan. We will do our best to meet the needs of our community through our resources and programs. Just check out our Events page on our website and you will see our many events and activities. From a Teen book club, to a Cat Lovers party, a Nintendo tournament or a Bridge Club, the offerings are plentiful. Whatever age and stage of life you are in- we’ve got you covered, and all are welcome here.
5. The Library is Cool
   We are very cool (pardon the pun) come in and enjoy air conditioning! But besides that, the library is relevant and modern. We have flexible workspaces. You can use computers. You can print wirelessly. We have an amazing Makerlab where you can book an appointment, complete 3D digital printing and use the Cricut. Our Makerlab kits include robots, coding cars, and circuits. We have ebooks and audiobooks that you can read/listen to on your devices and we have all the new releases you see on booktok. You can learn a new language with Mango Languages. We even have fax machines for those odd times when you need to use one. Our programs are on trend and we are always looking ahead to the future and ways we can stay current.
6. It’s Okay to Talk at the Library
   Yes, the library provides a space for people to work quietly, and it is still a place where you can read a book without interruption. But the library is also a vibrant meeting place, a community gathering place where we embody our mission statement of connecting, creating and exploring together. This might look like a preschool group having an interactive story time, a boisterous video game tournament or a Book Club having a lively discussion over coffee and cookies. There are spaces for quiet and there are spaces for conversation. But the space for shushing has long gone!
7. No More Nightmares About Old Fines
   Newly rolled out is our Fines Free initiative. If you’ve been reluctant to come to the library because you owe money from overdue items, you are now in our good graces. Please come back! Remember all the good things you loved about the library and then see how much more to there is to love!

The library is alive and well. Open your mind and give the library another chance, you might find yourself breathing in the fresh wind of a modern, welcoming space that is waiting just for you to explore.