Students at R. Tait McKenzie Public School are helping shape a future national library collection, curating a list of Canadian books for a new public space led by Library and Archives Canada (LAC).
Through a unique opportunity, the Grade 6 class selected just under 30 books—both in French and English—for the “Community Garden” section of the Heritage Lounge at Ādisōke, LAC’s new joint facility with the Ottawa Public Library.
The Community Garden invites contributors to curate a “plot,” or shelf, of Canadian books reflecting their interests and perspectives. Students selected a diverse mix of titles—from Canadian classics and Indigenous stories to historical and contemporary works—and are proud to share them with a national audience.
Approved titles include Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier, and Secret Path by Gord Downie. Additional titles by Kathy Kacer, Shauntay Grant, David A. Robertson, and Chris Hadfield were also included.
“We were really impressed by the work Mme. Grant’s class did using Library and Archives Canada records to help commemorate Private George Monterville on the Almonte Cenotaph,” said Lexi Clemence, LAC Lead Librarian. “It showed how students can connect with history in a meaningful way and make a real impact in their community. That’s why we invited them to curate a shelf for the Heritage Lounge—this is Canada’s national library, and we want people to feel seen and represented in the collection.”
“It’s a great way to show that youth voices belong here and that their contributions are valued in a space for all Canadians,” added Clemence.
Grade 6 student Charlie Sheffield chose Camp X by Eric Walters to be included.
“It’s a great story, and I wanted other people to discover it as well,” Sheffield said. “It’s exciting to know others might try something new or step outside their comfort zone—especially since it was one of the first chapter books I read.”
Mackenna Hargreaves selected The Magician of Auschwitz.
“Even in dark times, people took time to bring hope to others. The magician kept performing to survive, but also to give people something to hold on to,” Hargreaves said.
Ādisōke—an Anishinābemowin word meaning “storytelling”—will bring together Library and Archives Canada and the Ottawa Public Library in a new public-facing space showcasing Canada’s history and creativity. The Heritage Lounge will feature approximately 2,000 Canadian titles across topics including art, music, food, sports, and Indigenous cultures, with a strong selection for children and youth.
Designed for browsing, the collection emphasizes visually engaging, accessible books. A key feature is the Community Garden, where contributors—from donors to community groups—share curated selections of Canadian titles. The R. Tait McKenzie class is among the first groups invited to contribute.
“We are the only school in all of Canada that got to do this,” said Madeleine Kennedy. “Other people will be able to read the books we chose.”
The students’ shelf will include a class photo, brief biography, and a brief description on their choices. Their collection will be featured for up to two years and shared online, allowing readers across the country to explore and locate the titles in local libraries.
