Ottawa Public Library launches new children’s Web site

Ottawa (October 4, 2007) - A unique and fun children’s Web site featuring French and English literacy development activities for children ages five and under and an interactive book club where registered juvenile library card holders ages six and over can post book reviews and comments was launched yesterday in celebration of Public Library Month at the Ottawa Public Library.

“The new children’s Web site provides age-appropriate activities that develop important pre-reading skills in children five and under and continues to build literary skills with a book club featuring games, puzzles and activities for children six and older,” said Councillor Jan Harder, Chair, Ottawa Public Library Board.

The OPL’s much-loved mascot, Bopl, the fire-reading dragon, is prominently featured on the site and provides his own book reviews and selections along with Web safety tips for users.

“The new children’s Web site will help kids of all ages read, learn and have fun in a safe, environment,” said Jane Venus, Manger, Children’s and Youth Services. “The site is fun and informative and includes safeguards against inappropriate content including a word filter to automatically block posts that contain obscene language, a “Report abuse” button that allows book club members to flag content for review by a site administrator, and children’s staff who will act as content moderators to review all site content before it is posted live.”

Additional information and instructions for registering are found on the site

Bopl's Book Corner (5 and under): http://kids.biblioottawalibrary.ca/preschool/index_en.html
This area features a child-friendly suite of interactive age-appropriate flash games that employ sounds and colourful imagery to inspire children to improve their overall literacy skills.

Bopl's Book Club (6 and over): http://club.kids.biblioottawalibrary.ca
This area allows juvenile cardholders and staff to create a book club account and post their thoughts about their favourite books. Site content comes in five forms: Book reviews, “Lost” chapters, Word puzzles, Quizzes, and Comments (on any of the four content types above).

Call InfoService at 613-580-2940 or visit www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca or your local branch or bookmobile stop for more information.

Contact:
Al Roberts
Manager, Community Partnerships and Programming
Ottawa Public Library
580-2424 ext. 41240