The data for the statistics are taken from the 1999 Annual Survey of Public Libraries submitted by Ontario public libraries, and municipalities, local services boards and First Nations that contract with library boards for library service. The validity of this report depends upon the accuracy of the data submitted.

This report uses 1997 population figures furnished by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development provides population figures for First Nations libraries. Statistics Canada is the source for Ontario's 1999 population.

Provincial operating funding reported for the year 1999 includes pay equity funding. The total amount of provincial operating funding for 1999 was higher than 1998 because pay equity funding for the 1998 fiscal year was flowed during the first quarter of the 1999 calendar year. In addition, some libraries qualified for one time pay equity retroactive funding in that year.

Per capita ratios for libraries do not take into consideration the populations of contracting municipalities, First Nations and contracting local services boards and may therefore show a somewhat higher level of activity than actually exists.