Ādisōke is a new shared facility that will be home to Library and Archives Canada (LAC) and the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) in the National Capital Region. As the project moves toward opening in 2026, the design team and future occupants are reflecting on how a broadened vision of access has guided the project—and how design will, in turn, reshape access itself.

Sydney Browne, Principal at Diamond Schmitt; Lisa Tremblay-Goodyer, Director of User Experience and Services at LAC; and Sarah Macintyre, Division Manager at OPL, will present “Access by Design: Collaboration and Engagement in the Future of Library Spaces” at the OLA Super Conference. Together, they will discuss how the goal of connecting more people with services and collections shaped decisions throughout the planning, construction, and layout of Ādisōke.

From national-scale projects to small but meaningful changes in a single room, this session will consider how access can drive design decisions and how design can open new pathways to access—creating more inclusive, engaging, and adaptable library experiences for all communities.

The Ontario Library Association (OLA) is Canada’s largest library organization, and its Super Conference is the country’s largest continuing education event for library professionals. The conference brings together expert speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities, providing participants with knowledge and skills relevant to the library field.

View the full OLA Super Conference program and register here.