Beautiful light-filled reading area on the top floor

Ottawa Central Library at Ādisōke

 

Ottawa is a highly educated and international city, a community of communities, leading in politics, technology, business, education, and the arts. Our city deserves a Central Library that will capture the imagination of all Canadians through a landmark new facility.

Today, we are building a new Ottawa Central Library that will act as a catalyst — not only for a vibrant library district on the historic LeBreton Flats — but for a future of creativity and prosperity in our city.

Slated to officially open in 2026, the iconic new facility shared between Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada is projected to welcome 5,000 visitors daily and more than 1.7 million per year.

Named Ādisōke by the Anishinābe Algonquin Host Nation, it will offer an interactive experience that is both local and national through its striking design, sustainable architectural footprint, and unique programs and services.

Located on the historic LeBreton Flats, the new Ottawa Central Library at Ādisōke offers access to:

  • the latest creative technologies
  • beautiful spaces to work, read and study
  • high-quality literacy programs
  • events with local and national artists
  • exceptional collections
  • meeting places, a café and restaurant

Central libraries are transformational places that build, strengthen, enrich communities, and bring people together.

Take a look at how the new Ottawa Central Library at Ādisōke will play this role for Ottawa’s residents and visitors.

  • View of the Central Gathering Space

    First floor – arrive, gather, connect

    Step into the breathtaking Ādisōke! On the first floor, an open atrium with beautiful light and visibility into the building’s spaces will act as a large community living room, and a casual space for people to chat with friends, lounge and read.

    Here you will find the:

    • Express Library and Central Branch Entrance
    • Café and Auditorium
    • Blackbox theatre and museum-quality Exhibition Gallery
  • View of the Genealogy Centre

    Second floor – play, learn, celebrate diversity

    On the second floor, the children will play, the Indigenous community will gather and share knowledge, and visitors will connect with their city and roots.

    Here you will find the:

    • Children’s Discovery Centre, a vibrant and playful space for kids
    • Circular Lodge, a place for Indigenous gathering and cross-cultural sharing
    • Genealogy Centre, to help us find our roots
    • Living Ottawa space, a celebration of Ottawa’s past, present and future
    • Community Services with resources that celebrate and support our diverse communities
  • Entrance to the Teen Centre

    Third floor – relax, create, innovate

    The third floor is a space where people of all ages can innovate and create, and where teens can have their own place to explore ideas and learn together.

    Here you will find the:

    • Teen Centre for youth, with maker spaces, and areas for performances, group work and quite study
    • Creative Centre, with state-of-the-art digital and analogue tools
  • view of fourth floor reading area near windows

    Fourth floor – research, consult, collaborate

    The fourth floor is the place to unlock your musical creativity, work collaboratively, get support from community organizations, learn about the world, and brush up on your computer skills.

    Here you will find the:

    • Outreach Offices, to meet with community partners
    • Business Centre, a co-working space for entrepreneurs, students and remote workers
    • Music Instrument Library and Rehearsal Room, a place to reach your musical potential
    • Adult Non-Fiction collection, to discover our world
    • Computer Laboratory, to improve your digital literacy
  • View of the Civic Reception Room

    Fifth floor – read, meet, unwind

    Welcome to the top floor of Ādisōke, a perfect location to take in breathtaking views, read comfortably, attend or host receptions, and enjoy our restaurant.

    Here you will find the:

    • Civic Reception Room, for events with fantastic views
    • Adult Fiction and Reading Area, to browse the collection or read in comfort
    • Restaurant, to unwind and recharge
    • Community Kitchen, for cooking lessons and techniques