Ottawa residents looking for a meaningful way to explore their city this spring might find inspiration in a touching story unfolding right now in Toronto, and it hits close to home for anyone who grew up with a library card.
A Walk Rooted in Love
Marci Stepak, a Toronto writer, is embarking on a 300-kilometre journey to visit all 100 Toronto Public Library branches, one by one, mostly on foot. The mission is deeply personal: it's a tribute to her late mother, Eunice, who passed away in April 2025 at the age of 88 after a battle with cancer.
Eunice was a proud TPL cardholder for more than 50 years. Books, libraries, and being part of the city were her "through line," as Stepak describes it. The two had long talked about completing the Toronto Library Passport, a small notebook where visitors collect stamps from every branch, together. When that became impossible, Stepak decided she would do it for both of them.
Starting at the Humberwood branch in Etobicoke and finishing at the iconic Toronto Reference Library, she plans to cover roughly 30 kilometres a day, taking transit at the start and end of each route.
Ottawa Has Its Own Library Adventure Waiting
For Ottawa residents, the story is a reminder of what an underrated treasure the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) system really is. With 33 branches spread across the city, from the sleek new Beaverbrook branch in Kanata to the cozy Elmvale Acres location in the east end. There's a version of Stepak's challenge that any Ottawan could take on.
The OPL even has its own passport-style programs and community events that make branch-hopping surprisingly rewarding. Whether you're a long-time cardholder or someone who hasn't stepped inside a library since elementary school, a self-guided walking tour of your nearest branches is a genuinely fun way to spend a weekend afternoon.
Given Ottawa's reputation as one of Canada's most walkable capital cities, with extensive multi-use pathways, riverside trails, and connected neighbourhoods, linking up a few library branches on foot is entirely doable for most residents.
Why Libraries Still Matter
Stepak's story also serves as a gentle nudge to appreciate what libraries represent beyond just books. In Ottawa, OPL branches host everything from tech help sessions for seniors to maker spaces, language learning programs, and free children's storytime events. They're genuine community hubs, especially in newer suburban neighbourhoods like Barrhaven and Stittsville, where the local branch often doubles as a gathering space.
The next time you're planning a weekend walk, consider routing it past a library branch you've never visited. You might be surprised what you find, and who you run into.
And if you're feeling ambitious? Ottawa's 33 branches are waiting.
Source: blogTO
