'Something special about libraries': Hopes high for OPL fundraising campaign

TheOttawa Public Library hopes to raise $10 to 15 million over the coming years as part of a major fundraising campaign for the new central library not topayfor the bricks and mortar,buttoensure interesting things take place inside once it's open.

On Tuesday, the library's board will consider a consultant's report that suggests residents are willing to raisemoney for the public library systemand offers possibilitiesfor how to doit.

The idea of a fundraising campaign first came up as a way to offset the debt the city would incur to pay for its $104-million portionofa new central library on Wellington Street, which will be shared with Library and Archives Canada.

But donors want to give toward the library's operations, not its construction, said Anna Basile,the communications and strategic services manager who wrote the report.

'This is doable'

The money, said Basile,would help the library carry out state-of-the-art programs at its new home.

Theearly vision for the new central branch includes a media lab and a demonstration kitchen, but the money could also fund author appearancesand writers-in-residence.

It wouldalso go towardprograms that take place in all 33 of the system's branches, said Basile.

However, $10 millionis also a significantamount for an Ottawa fundraising campaign, consideringthatthe Great Canadian Theatre Company had to seek extra money from the city when it fell short on its own capital campaign a decade ago.

The Ottawa Art Gallery studied that experience more recently when it set and hit what it saw as a manageablegoal of $3.5 million.

Still, Basilethinks the library can reach the consultant's target.

"I do certainly believe this is doable. It is over five years, so it's a nice thing that we have [time]until the central library opens its doors officially," Basile said.

The Calgary experience

Calgary's experience with its own new central library could offer some guidance.

While the city paidthe entire $235-millioncost of constructing itsnew central library above a light rail line, a fundraising campaign raised an extra $47 million.

In the years leading up to its fall 2018 opening, the donor list grew by leaps and bounds.

One in every 100Calgarians, or 18,000 people, supported the library financially, said Ellen Humphrey,president of the Calgary Public Library Foundation.

While the city has a strong corporate base,Humphrey thinksmost of the funding came from individuals.

Library philanthropy evolves

Libraries are a generation behind hospitals, colleges and universities when it comes to philanthropy, Humphrey said, but she believes that'schanging.

The money a library foundation raises can beused by the system on thethings it finds most important, likecreating lively children's areas that can include componentslike climbing structures and media labs for teens.

Events held at libraries like escape rooms, for instance can also attract new patrons and supporters, Humphrey said.

"If there is ever an age when libraries aren't cool. it's when you're a teenager. But our space here is come 3 o'clock, when school gets outit's jumping," said Humphrey.

Basile said she hoped to build that same excitement in Ottawa.

The new library at 555Wellington St., near LeBreton Flats, isexpected to open in 2024.