Literacy Study Results

The Federation’s Research Task Force has completed its study of literacy programs provided by Ontario public libraries.  This study was partly funded by the Ministry of Culture and was undertaken as a result of a direct request from Minister Carroll to gather data from our members on public library programming in support of literacy and family literacy.  The Executive Summary has been distributed to Federation members and non-members who participated in the study survey, as well as the Presidents of CELUPL, AMPLO and ARUPLO.

A total of 204 library boards participated in the survey; they serve 87% of the population in Ontario.  Key findings are:

  • 78% of the libraries surveyed offered core literacy programs.
    (When supporting programs are included the total rises to 96%).
  • 688 core literacy programs were offered across Ontario.
  • 69% of those core programs focused on Early Literacy (0-5 years of age).
  • 21% of those core programs focused on Children’s Literacy (6-11 years of age).
  • 10% of those core programs focused on Teen and Adult Literacy.
  • A total of 1.2 million hours of instruction were provided for core literacy programs.