Ontario’s public and First Nations libraries are vital community hubs of literacy, learning and information.  The Ministry of Culture supports innovation in the public library sector through the Library Strategic Development Fund.  In 2008-09, 12 libraries or library organizations are receiving $310,224 through the program.     

The fund strategically invests in projects that enhance the provincial library system as a whole or serve as models for other libraries.  Grants support a wide range of initiatives that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of our communities, and help Ontarians develop the creativity, knowledge and skills they need to succeed in Ontario’s new innovative economy.

GRANT RECIPIENTS 2008-09

Brant County Public Library - $18,405
Project: Caprons of Paris: a founding dynasty in Ontario’s 1800s commercial era
The County of Brant Public Library is partnering with the Paris Museum and Archives, the Grand River Heritage Mines Society and the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre to create a digital collection of primary and secondary resource materials on the Caprons of Paris, an important family in the area’s history. The Brant County Public Library’s virtual library project will focus initially on the Caprons of Paris, and then expand to incorporate other local histories and documents.

Cobourg Public Library - $3,982
Project: Therapeutic Art Journaling Program for Juveniles: Does your Child Have Trouble at Recess?
The Cobourg Public Library will work with an art therapist to deliver a series of art journaling programs for boys, focussing primarily on the topic of bullying.  This program may serve as a model for libraries that have an interest in providing an alternative service to juveniles to help with their mental health issues and/or to provide information to other community partners.  Rebound Child and Youth Services Northumberland and the Northumberland United Way are partners with the library on this project.

Federation of Ontario Public Libraries - $19,500
Project: Data Collections on Literacy Programs
The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries will partner with Ontario public libraries and the Ontario Literacy Coalition to acquire information on the number, type, and target of literacy programs that public libraries provide. The work will cover the broad spectrum of literacy programs provided, including everything from reading readiness and summer reading programs for children, to English as a Second Language programs for adults and digital literacy skill development for job seekers.

Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library - $49,784
Project: Lakes and Islands Time Past
The Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library and the Rideau Lakes Public Library are partnering with six heritage and historical societies to digitize local history and genealogical resources.  Partners for the project include: the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands Municipal Heritage Committee, the Leeds and Thousand Islands Historical Society, the Lansdowne’s Women’s Institute, the Township of Rideau Lakes Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, the Chaffey’s Lock and Area Heritage Society, and the Delta Mill Society.

Newmarket Public Library - $35,894
Project: Bike Library Management System
The Newmarket Public Library is partnering with Smart Commute Central York to provide a free community bike lending library program.    The Library will extend the existing library management software to support an on-line system for cyclists that will include user registration, user management, inventory management, check-in/check-out processes, administrative support and statistical reporting. This project will help improve accessibility to the library, which can not be directly reached by public transportation. It also showcases innovative, non-traditional community partnerships, and provides a platform to explore new library-based services in the community.

Nipissing First Nation Public Library - $35,673
Project: Nbisiing Heritage project
The Nipissing First Nation Public Library is partnering with the Nipissing Nation Land Office to preserve and make accessible materials of historical and cultural significance for the Nipissing First Nation.  Recordings of Elders, photographs and cultural documents will be included in the Nbisiing Heritage project. The Nbisiing Heritage project will help engage the Youth of Nipissing, involve Elder participation for the sourcing and interpretation of materials, and will work to safeguard the Nipissing People’s history.

Pelham Public Library - $22,320
Project: Niagara Integrated Library System (ILS) Consortium Feasibility Study
The Pelham Public Library is partnering with the Fort Erie Public Library, Lincoln Public Library, Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library and the Niagara College library to acquire expert advice on the feasibility of establishing a consortium to oversee the development, management and operation of an integrated library system for the four partners.  The partnership will provide a model for other public library or mixed consortia to examine alternatives in ILS systems at a regional or provincial level.

Perth East Public Library - $15,951
Project: Digital Literacy Project
Perth East Public Library, and its public library partners, the Stratford Public Library and the West Perth Public Library will enhance and increase digital literacy among the communities they serve through Web 2.0 social networking software. Other partners in the Digital Literacy Project include the Ministry of Government Services, Knowledge Ontario, and BiblioCommons.  The project will deliver a report on digital literacy promotion and broadband utilization. 

Pickering Public Library - $50,000
Project:  Digital Services Centre
The Pickering Public Library and the City of Pickering’s Culture and Recreation Department are partners in a Digital Services Centre project that will act as a model for public libraries considering the strategic direction of leisure and information services in a digital environment, and looking to work with their municipalities to support community digital skills development. Staff from the Digital Services Centre will provide programming and outreach services to support existing City facilities. The City will be monitoring the project in order to plan joint digital service facilities in two combined Library/Recreation facilities that are under development. The Digital Services Centre will also include an ‘audio bar’, digital photo printing and editing services, and access to media creation software.

Southern Ontario Library Service - $4,998
Project: Municipal Councillors’ Orientation to Ontario’s Public Libraries
The Southern Ontario Library Service’s (SOLS) Municipal Councillors’ Orientation to Ontario’s Public Libraries project will create a learning experience for municipal staff and councillors to heighten their understanding and appreciation of public libraries.  The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Library Service-North are partnering with SOLS in this project, which will result in a concise orientation tool for new and returning municipal councillors.    

Toronto Public Library – $25,000
Project: Ready for Reading: Video Clips
Toronto Public Library’s Ready for Reading: Video Clips project will support emergent literacy for preschoolers by providing online access to video clips of library staff performing songs, rhymes and finger plays. Online access to the clips will also extend the reach of the library’s Ready for Reading program to families that cannot attend a library story time in person.

Windsor Public Library - $28,717
Project: Taking up the Challenge: Supporting our Community
Windsor Public Library is working with many community partners, including the United Way Windsor-Essex County, 211 Windsor Essex, and the New Canadians Centre of Excellence, to provide a centre that offers job search and related research opportunities for area residents. The centre would provide access to federal, provincial, and municipal information, as well as community employment resources.  Working with its partners, the library intends to schedule a variety of local experts to facilitate sessions on job related topics, and provide structured courses that support job search efforts.

PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMUNITY PEER EVALUATORS
The 2008-09 Library Strategic Development Fund applications were reviewed by a peer evaluation team composed of library representatives from previous grant recipients, Ontario Library Service-North and the Southern Ontario Library Service.  The peer evaluation team members were:

• Stephen Hanns, Welland Public Library
• Rob Lavery, Southern Ontario Library Service
• Lisa Miettinen, Oxford County Library
• Margie Singleton, Vaughan Public Libraries
• Karen Thistle, Ontario Library Service North