We need your help! Library Day in Your Riding during Ontario Public Library Week (OPLW) – October 20th to 26th

Now, more than ever, it’s important to for Ontario libraries to build positive relationships with their local representatives. The Ontario Library Association (OLA) and Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) work with a government relations firm to develop key messages and coordinate outreach to strengthen the position of Ontario public libraries across the province.

We need your help!

This year, during Ontario Public Library Week (OPLW) – October 20th to 26^th – OLA and FOPL are working to coordinate meetings between local library leaders with Members of Provincial Parliament (MPP).

As library leaders in key ridings, you can help by reaching out to your local MPP to participate in OPLW celebrations at your library.

Next steps:

1. Coordinate your team

• Depending on your riding, you may wish to coordinate your meeting with other local libraries leaders, your board, school and/or academic staff in your area.
• While some of you may work in the local riding, it’s always best to have someone on your team who actually lives in your MPP’s riding.

2. Request a meeting with your local MPP – Reach out by September 4th!

• Pick a representative to request a meeting. A template invitation letter can be found here.
• Even if you aren’t yet sure who will be able to attend the meeting, get the request in early – by September 4^th to ensure that you are able to schedule something.
• Get creative – this meeting can be a tour of your library an invitation to participate in an OPLW event, or a sit down meeting. Think about unique opportunities that show off your library.

3. Let OLA/FOPL know about your meeting

• Fill in this form to keep us informed. This is very important as it helps us avoid duplication and track the outreach taking place across the province.

4. OLA/FOPL will send you key messages and brief on libraries

• We’ll be working to finalize our key messaging by the end of September. Stay-tuned for key messages and a leave-behind to use during your meeting.

5. Meet/Host your event

• Make sure you have a few print copies of OLA/FOPL’s leave-behind for your MPP and any of their support staff.

6. Debrief

• Let us know how it went! Fill in this short Meeting Worksheet so we can capture the tone, any follow ups, etc.

If you are looking for more detailed tips, check out page 13 of OLA’s Advocacy Toolkit for guidelines on how to meet with your local representative.

Any questions, please contact Sarah Roberts at sroberts@accessola.com or by phone at 416-363-3388 ext. 231.

Sarah Roberts, MI | pronouns: she/her

Advocacy & Research Officer

Ontario Library Association (OLA)

2 Toronto Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5C 2B6

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