Free Classes

Children aged 7 to 12 can learn to play chess and discover more about the game at the Nepean Centrepointe branch of the Ottawa Public Library. Teen volunteers are on hand to help beginners. Saturdays from Nov 14 to Dec 12, 2026, 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Free drop in program.

A relaxed chess club for adults and players aged 10 and up at the Alta Vista branch of the Ottawa Public Library, with an instructor on hand. All levels are welcome, and it is a nice way to meet new people over a board. Every second Saturday (Nov 7 and 21, Dec 5 and 19, 2026) from 3:00 to 4:30 PM. Free drop in program, no registration needed.

A free workshop for people who already know the basics of their iPad or iPhone, covering Wi-Fi and routers, Bluetooth, app shopping and new settings. In person at Monique-Corriveau on Monday November 30, 2026 at 1:30 PM (1.5 hours, reservation required), or online on Teams on November 10 at 1 PM. Bring your own device and know your email address.

A friendly coffee or tea meetup for people aged 65 and over to make a unique holiday greeting card using wet felting with soap and water, guided by artisan Sophie Pomerleau. Thursdays November 12 and December 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM, for 1.5 hours. Free; reservation required.

A monthly musical and literary gathering in Spanish and French where participants read or sing their own creations or works by favourite authors, and listeners are just as welcome. Mondays November 9 and December 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Bibliothèque Monique-Corriveau, for teens and adults. Free drop in; a good level of Spanish helps you enjoy it.

Free Saturday afternoons of board games where families and friends discover new games, meet other players and plan their strategies just for fun. At Collège-des-Jésuites on November 7, Charles-H.-Blais (avenue Maguire) on November 21 and Champigny on December 5, 2026, from 1:30 PM for 2.5 hours. Free drop in, open to all.

Come with family or friends to try classic and brand new board games with friendly game guides from the Ludothèque de Sainte-Foy, in the library's MULTI room. Fridays November 6 and December 4, 2026, from 7 PM for 3 hours. Free drop in, open to everyone.

Relaxed free mornings for parents from all backgrounds and their children aged 0 to 5: each session starts with stories, songs and rhymes, then parents chat over coffee while a facilitator looks after the little ones, with a snack served. At Gabrielle-Roy on November 8 and December 6, 2026, and at Monique-Corriveau on November 26 and December 3, always at 10:30 AM. Free; reservation required.

A free 45 minute story time offered in both French and Spanish for children aged 3 to 5 with an adult, with a story, an activity and reading suggestions. At Paul-Aimé-Paiement on Saturdays November 7 and December 12, 2026 at 10 AM; also at Gabrielle-Roy on November 22 (10:30 AM) and Monique-Corriveau on November 24 (6:15 PM). Free; reservation required.

Free drop in troubleshooting with computers, tablets, phones, e-readers and digital books from the library's digital mediation team. Bring your library card and device; no reservations, up to 30 minutes per person in order of arrival. Thursdays November 12 and 26, 2026 at noon.

Free one on one help from the library's digital team with computers, tablets, phones, e-readers, apps and e-book loans. No booking: come with your library card and your device, people are seen in order of arrival for up to 30 minutes each. Mondays and Fridays at 9 AM from November 6 to November 30, 2026.

Free 45 minute sessions of rhymes, songs, finger games and a story for babies under 1 year old with an adult. Tuesdays at 10:30 AM from November 10 to December 29, 2026, at the large central library in Saint-Roch. Free; reservation required on the library website.