Ottawa Public Library numbers for 2015 stack up to a year of popular growth

_ (press release) _ The latest statistics from the Ottawa Public Library show that people are using the Library at a growing rate, and accessing ever increasing amounts of digital content from the OPL.

In its just released Annual Report, the OPL reports that the proportion of Ottawa residents actively using their OPL card rose to the highest level in three years. Increasing more than six percent over the same period last year, 39 per cent of Ottawa’s population are active OPL customers.

The OPL also reported an increase in the number of visits to its website, which serves as a virtual branch where cardholders can renew or request items, search the catalogue, manage their OPL account, and stream or download a wide range of information, learning, and entertainment resources.  The OPL received more than 15 million visits to www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca in 2015, 2.3 million more than the year before.

The popularity of the OPL’s high-performing website did not dampen enthusiasm for visiting the Library in person. The OPL reported 4.8 million visits to its 33 branches across the City, from Cumberland to Fitzroy Harbour. The number of in-person visits stayed level with last year.

Circulation also rose at OPL in 2015 by more than three per cent, with electronic offerings from ebooks to music downloads and movie streaming, accounting for much of the increase.  Overall, 11.5 million items of all types were borrowed in 2015, also higher than in 2014.

“These numbers clearly show that people value OPL’s services and programs,” said Tim Tierney, Chair of the Ottawa Public Library Board and Councillor for Beaconhill-Cyrville. “It is a reflection of the fantastic job that OPL is doing to adapt to the evolving interests of people in this growing city, serving the public how and where they need it.”

Danielle McDonald, CEO of the Ottawa Public Library attributes the growth in customer activity and satisfaction to the OPL’s culture of continuous improvement. “We’ve been listening to the public and investing to enhance our digital platforms and create the best possible experience for the customer. We are working hard to connect individuals and communities to the resources that they want and need,” said McDonald. OPL’s 2015 Annual Report is now available online. _ The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is the largest bilingual (English/French) public library system in North America. The OPL extends public access to information and services through the library’s 34 branches, physical and virtual at _ www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca _ , as well as two mobile libraries and a vending machine-style lending library service. Serving close to one million Ottawa residents, OPL’s mission is to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and connect people. Follow us on Twitter _ www.Twitter.com/OPL_BPO _ and like us on Facebook _ www.Facebook.com/OPLBPO _ . Contact us at 613-580-2940 or _ InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca _ . If it’s out there, it’s in here! _