When it comes to the design of the Ottawa Public Library’s new main branch, you really can judge a book by its cover.

Thousands of commuters pass by the downtown construction site daily, undoubtedly noticing how the striking building, with its sweeping curves like the waves of a river, is continuing to take shape.

Not many have yet been able to step inside — until late Thursday afternoon, when the OPL held special guided tours for donors to OPL’s $10-million Unlock Potential campaign. Everyone was given personal protective equipment to wear, from head to toe, accompanied by strict safety instructions from PCL Construction’s Tracy Condie and Michael Ozga.

“It’s wonderful to be able to share this space; we can’t wait until we can share it with everyone,” OPL’s chief librarian and CEO, Sonia Bebbington told visitors.

The $334-million Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada joint facility is slated to open in summer 2026.

Bebbington, who led one of the group tours, spoke of the library’s vision to breaking down barriers and to making the new space available to all.

“Libraries are all about access,” said Bebbington. “There’s a lot of social isolation, and libraries are unique places to really work against that social isolation to bring people together for our programming and other services.”

The new main branch rises five levels, but its height is more comparable to an eight- or nine-storey residential tower. The building, located on Albert Street just west of Bronson Avenue, sits in the up-and-coming LeBreton Flats district where new residential, retail and commercial space is being developed — not to mention an eventual hockey arena for the Ottawa Senators.

The new library will replace the existing main branch at 120 Metcalfe St.

A look at the ongoing construction of Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch, as seen from the south-east corner of Albert Street and Bronson Avenue. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The new central library is being called Ādisōke (pronounced AW-de-SO-keh), which translates to “storytelling” in the Anishinābemowin Algonquin language and reflects the library’s commitment to inclusivity and engagement with the local Indigenous community.

The library’s public consultation process was very extensive, visitors heard, and involved the input of thousands of people offering their opinions on where the new site should be located, what it should include and how they wanted to be reflected in it.

Unique features will include a café, a community kitchen and a soundproof musical rehearsal space. “If you live in a smaller, denser living environment and have a family member who’s really into, say, the trumpet, they can now practise here without disturbing anyone,” said Bebbington.

An indoor living green wall, reaching up all five levels, is a key element of the building’s commitment to sustainable design.

There will be public spaces and other facilities throughout the building for people to gather and connect in, where visitors won’t have to worry about being “shushed”.

In case you’re wondering about the books, “there will definitely be books in all the spaces,” said Bebbington. “Our clients love books, so they’ll be everywhere.”

The library will have a special children’s area to inspire literacy and learning. “That’s really, really important to us, to have a beautiful space that draws kids in and offers them an engaging program,” said Bebbington of their plans for a wigwam-inspired story room and canoe-shaped bookcase.

The building’s 216,000 square feet will be shared with Library and Archives Canada, which will help make the space even more interesting, visitors heard.

Donors to the Ottawa Public Library’s $10-million Unlock Potential campaign were offered a guided tour of the new main branch, currently under construction. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Bryden McMaster, a partner at Welch LLP, and his wife, public school teacher Janis Sops, participated in a guided tour of the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch, currently under construction at 555 Albert St. in downtown Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

One of the views from the new main branch of the Ottawa Public Library, currently under construction. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The tours wrapped up with a catered reception hosted by Peter Nicholson, founder and CEO of the WCPD Foundation. It specializes in charity flow-through shares, a tax structure that helps donors maximize their giving to causes across Canada, such as OPL’s Unlock Potential campaign.

The honorary chair for the campaign — which has passed the halfway mark — is former Supreme Court of Canada chief justice Beverley McLachlin.

Guests included former federal cabinet minister Catherine McKenna, who championed the new central branch when she represented the Ottawa Centre riding.

Former Ottawa MP and Liberal cabinet minister Catherine McKenna, pictured with Ottawa Public Library CEO and chief librarian Sonia Bebbington, attended a reception for donors and supporters of the new central library project at LeBreton Flats. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Award-winning professional fundraiser Jacline Nyman in conversation with reception host Peter Nicholson, founder and CEO of the WCPD Foundation, following a tour of the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch, currently under construction. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Community Foundation’s Grace Xin (philanthropic services and community building) at a reception, after visitors received a guided tour of the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch, currently under construction at 555 Albert St. in downtown Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, James Ciesielski, co-founder at Rewind, and his wife, Parkdale Food Centre executive director Beth Ciavaglia, and Mike Potter, co-founder and CEO at Rewind, and his wife, Luigina, participated in a guided tour of the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch, currently under construction at 555 Albert St. in downtown Ottawa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The RBC Foundation — represented by the bank’s regional president Devinder Gill — presented its previously announced $1.5-million gift through its community infrastructure fund. The funds will help to make the library fully accessible through tactile walking surface indicators, automatic doors and markers to help the public navigate their way through the building more easily.

Such support has enabled the library to exceed the standards of the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification, guests heard.

Also recognized for their “transformational gifts” were Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association, the Crabtree Foundation, the Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation, the Dream Community Foundation, Jane Beaumont, and the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Vibrant and Sustainable Fund.

“This is not just another construction project,” Ottawa Public Library board chair Matt Luloff, city councillor for Orléans East-Cumberland, said at the reception. “It is the most significant cultural investment in our city in generations.”

He spoke of public libraries as being “the last truly democratic” spaces due to their free and equal access to information, resources and community programs. “It’s open to everyone regardless of their background and their income.”

Luloff said Ādisōke will become  “a place where knowledge, creativity, reconciliation and community will come together in a way that Ottawa has not ever seen before.”

Bebbington — like all good librarians — had a story to share, this one about her lifelong connection to libraries. She recalled taking her children when they were young to the Carlingwood branch, where Margaret Kirkpatrick has long read stories to little ones. Her father, who turned 88 today, remains a loyal visitor to the Centennial branch. And her mother, who passed away two years ago after living with Alzheimer’s, enjoyed a coffee table picture book that her father signed out for her toward the end of her life.

“I have seen the Ottawa Public Library quite literally be there for my family at every age and every stage,” said Bebbington.

The Ottawa Public Library’s chief librarian and CEO, Sonia Bebbington, with RBC regional president Devinder Gill and Ottawa city councillor Matt Luloff, chair of the OPL board, at the unveiling of RBC Foundation’s $1.5-million gift toward making the new central library accessible to all. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Sarah Macintyre, division manager at the Ottawa Public Library, with Ottawa councillor Ariel Troster, during a guided tour of the new main branch on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Glenn Sheen, regional director of marketing and citizenship at RBC, at a reception held at the new main branch of the Ottawa Public Library, alongside donors Jean Teron and Harvey Slack, the latter of whom is a trustee with the Ottawa Public Library. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Public Library’s CEO and chief librarian, Sonia Bebbington, welcomed guests to a reception held at the new main branch currently being built at LeBreton Flats. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From the Dream real estate development company team, Tsering Yangki (left), Runa Whitaker and Paul Cope at a reception that took place after visitors received a guided tour of the Ottawa Public Library’s new central branch, currently under construction at 555 Albert St. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Ottawa Public Library, with the support of the WCPD Foundation, hosted a reception at the site of its new central branch, for supporters and donors to its $10-million Unlock Potential campaign. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa Public Library campaign donors Joanna Crilly, the Ottawa Community Foundation’s Grace Xin (philanthropic services and community building), Joan Johnston and Emma Bedlington at a reception held at the library’s new central branch, following a guided tour. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jeff Todd, vice president of marketing and communications at WCPD, Jacline Nyman, president of Advancement Resources Counsel, and Peter Nicholson, founder and CEO of the WCPD Foundation. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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