Guelph Public Library
2,000,000 +
items were checked out in 2024 - an average of 6,000 daily
35,264
program participants engaged & inspired last year
1.57 Million
digital connections were made to tech and online tools in 2024
About
Every day, Guelph Public Library helps build a thriving, inclusive community by offering free and equitable access to lifelong learning opportunities that enrich, improve, and transform lives.
Nearly two million visits each year reflect the deep connection we share with people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic circumstances. Through our Main Library, five branch locations, and mobile Bookmobile, we turn possibilities into progress across our entire city.
By turning barriers into bridges, GPL empowers Guelph’s growing and diverse population to explore the world, nurture well-being, and build meaningful connections with others and important resources.
In 2024:
- we welcomed more than 1.94 million people through our doors
- 2 million items were checked out – an average of 6,000 daily
- 35,264 program participants engaged and inspired
- 1.57 million digital connections were made to tech and online tools
- 8,348 new cardholders joined the GPL family
We believe in a community that thrives through collaboration, compassion, and the transformative power of learning.
By planning a gift in your Will to GPL, you’ll help to ensure that everyone – today and for generations to come – has the tools to grow, thrive, and belong.
Our Impact
More than books – a lifeline for the community. Today’s public libraries are vibrant hubs that empower, connect, and uplift.
No longer just for books, we offer unparalleled free access to a wealth of resources, spaces, technologies, learning opportunities, and programs that transform lives.
Libraries are now one of society’s greatest equalizers – places where one visit can spark a lifelong passion, a single tool can open new career paths, and a story can help someone feel seen.
From joyful literacy programs to essential outreach services, GPL educates, entertains, and bridges divides – whether its children discovering stories for the first time, newcomers seeking connection, or individuals learning new digital skills – many rely on us for support not available elsewhere.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our role as a vital community anchor became even clearer – providing connection, support, and access when people needed it most.
As such, equal access to Guelph Public Library’s offerings now means more than ever – reflected in steadily rising usage levels and the 1000’s of people who rely on our services every day to enrich, improve, and transform their lives.
Simply put, no other place offers the reach, impact, and heart of GPL.
How your gift will be used
Your legacy. Their future. Every gift to the Guelph Public Library is an investment in knowledge, community, and opportunity.
Public funding keeps our doors open, but it’s donor generosity that helps us truly thrive.
For every $1 given, libraries generate over $6 in economic impact – and far more in social value.
When you leave a gift in your Will to Guelph Public Library, you’re investing in lifelong learning, community connection, and equal opportunity – for generations to come.
Large or small, your support will unlock potential and ignite new possibilities for everyone.
A gift in your Will help sustain this essential resource well into the future, ensuring GPL can grow and evolve and continue to support those who need us most.
Your legacy will build the future of our library system and our entire community, ensuring GPL remains the place where new discoveries and opportunities are ignited. A place that will create awe, uplift those within it, and make a difference in lives every single day.
Together, we can shape a vibrant future – one story at a time.
Legal Name
Guelph Public Library Board
Charity Number
889091245RR0001
