News from Ruth E. Dickinson: your local library branch

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🌈 Capital Pride 2023 at OPL 🌈

It is almost time for Capital Pride, a festival dedicated to the 2SLGBTQIA+ people of Ottawa that spans August 19-27. The theme of this year’s Capital Pride, “Get Proud!” is both an invitation and an appeal.

Capital Pride is a time for celebration and a time to gather with friends, family, and community. But it is also a time to remember that the pursuit of equality is still ongoing. With our core values including community, inclusion, and intellectual freedom, we at OPL remain committed to serving all people of Ottawa regardless of gender, gender expression, or sexuality.

We invite you to join us at programs this August and beyond to share and learn. We will continue to provide access to diverse stories and voices, and we encourage you to browse the booklists below for new titles by and about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. OPL is for everyone, and we are so excited to celebrate Capital Pride with all of you!  

• Get Proud! / Fierté, Haut et Fort 

• Pride Reads for Kids / Livres sur la Fierté pour les enfants

• L is for Lesbian / L est pour Lesbienne

• G is for Gay / G est pour Gaie

• B is for Bisexual / B est pour Bisexuelle

• T is for Transgender / T est pour Transgenre 

• I is for Intersex / I est pour Intersexe

• A is for Asexual and Aromantic / A est pour Asexuelle et Aromantique

• Q is for Queer / Q est pour Queer

• 2S is for Two-Spirit / 2E est pour Deux-esprits
  

🎨 2023 Ruth E. Dickinson Branch Teen Art Contest 📸​

Calling all young artists ages 13 to 17: our annual Teen Art Contest is back this summer! Visit us at the branch to pick up an entry form and submit your work of art!​ Deadline for submissions is ​Wednesday, August 16 at 5 pm. For full contest rules and criteria please see entry form. Don't forget to join us on Saturday, August 19 from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm for a Vernissage where all the art pieces​ will be on display and prizes will be awarded

👨‍🎨 Awesome Authors Seek Awesome Illustrators! 👨‍🎨

The Ottawa Public Library will be publishing Pot-Pourri this fall – an anthology of all the winning short stories, poems and comics from our Awesome Authors Youth Writing Contest. We are looking for a talented young artist between the ages of 9 and 17 to design a cover for this year's edition of the book. We will be accepting submissions via the online form or in-person at your local branch until August 20, 2023.  For full contest details please click here. 

🚂 Stay & Play 🚙

Join us to play and chat! There will be self-directed activities and toys for parents/caregivers and young children. Drop-in program. Monday, August 21 and Thursday, August 24 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am

🚸 Coming Soon: Fall Children's Programs 🚸 

Stayed tuned for our full lineup of children's programs this fall! Mark your calendars: registration opens on Monday, August 28 at 10 am! 

📖 Two Stories FOPLA Bookstore 📖

Did you know that the Ruth E. Dickinson library branch offers used book sales? The Friends of the Ottawa Public Library's Association (FOPLA)'s Two Stories Bookstore sells used donated books! Visit the first floor store for Children's books or the second floor store for Adult and Teen books. These self-serve shelves offer variety and great prices.

Stocked by FOPLA's savvy volunteers, they offer you the convenience of being able to grab and go. Books can be paid for at the first floor service hub. Feel good knowing your purchase helps to support the Ottawa Public Library!