2018 Public Library Service Awards Winners
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence
Small Library Category
Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library for: Bkejwanong Library Loves Literacy
Bkejwanong Library respects the community it serves, consistently promotes literacy in all its many guises – storytelling, plays, music, history/genealogy, writing, reading – supporting life-long learning beginning at 0+ months, continuing through school-age children and youth to community Elders. Literacy is highly correlated with academic success; hence, all children’s programs involve high-interest books with activities which extend learning. Adult programs focus on Genealogy/History/Language and quilting, while Family programming involves movie nights and music. Networking and partnerships [schools, community departments, colleges] are critical.
Medium Library Category
Orillia Public Library for: Remembrance Day Interactive Exhibit
For the past five years the Orillia Public Library has partnered with local collectors and museums to host the Remembrance Day Interactive Exhibit. Through an interactive animated exhibit, featuring artifacts, biographical portraits, and costumed interpreters, students from elementary through high school learn about the individual contributions citizens of Orillia, surrounding townships and the members of the indigenous community made in the past wars and military conflicts from World War 1 to present day conflicts.
Large Library Category
Vaughan Public Libraries for: Customer Experience Model
The Customer Experience Model embraces the best practices of customer service into one framework that empowers staff to take customer service to the next level. The model includes 6 key service concepts: Hospitality, Customer Service, Frontline Advocacy, Customer Empowerment, Merchandising, and WOW Moments. In 2017, more than 200 staff were recognized for creating and capturing WOW Moments across VPL.
Minister’s Award for Innovation
Small Library Category
Arnprior Public Library for: Music of Your Life (Music and Memory Program)
o The Arnprior Public Library launched one of the first Music and Memory Programs in Canada connecting a public library to residents of a local nursing home. “The Music of Your Life” project is an ambitious effort launched in June 2016. It involved not only community awareness and fundraising but also volunteer support to become a dynamic, full circle, intergenerational community effort. In the past two years, personalized play lists – as individual as each recipient – have brought joy to countless seniors living at home and in care facilities.
Medium Library Category
Pickering Public Library for: Pickering Public Library Connect
Pickering Public Library Connect had a significant impact on the perception of the public library as an essential partner in bridging the digital divide in the community by providing equitable and convenient access to internet resources and training and ensuring that all members of the community are able to effectively participate in a 21st century economy.
Large Library Category
Simcoe County Public Library for: Simcoe County Libraries Immigrant Hub
The Simcoe County Libraries Immigrant Hub Project is an innovative project designed to strengthen the capacity of libraries to create vibrant, diverse and welcoming communities. It’s a timely project, responsive to the rapidly changing demographics and cultural, educational, social and economic needs of immigrants. Its objectives include staff training, multilingual collection development, program provision and cultivation of significant sustainable partnerships. The project’s strength is its ability to be replicated elsewhere. Its accomplishments include the reduction of immigrant isolation and increased inclusivity, acceptance and understanding of immigrants in the communities.
Public Library Service Awards Winners
Previous Winners
2017
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — Small Libraries Category
Rideau Lakes Public Library — MAPsack
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — Medium Libraries Category
Clarington Public Library — Winter WonderLearn
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — Large Libraries Category
Waterloo Public Library — Explore Play Learn @ WPL
Minister’s Award for Innovation — Small Libraries Category
Fort Frances Public Library — Rainy River District Library Cooperative
Minister’s Award for Innovation Medium — Libraries Category
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County Library — Library Express – Alternative Service Delivery Depots
Minister’s Award for Innovation Large — Libraries Category
Ottawa Public Library — A la Carte Food Literacy Project
2016
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — Small Libraries Category (TIED)
Carleton Place Public Library — Carleton Place Writes
Hastings Highlands Public Library — Crazy for Community Hubs!
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — Medium Libraries Category
Caledon Public Library — Click-Create-Celebrate Initiative
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence — Large Libraries Category
Burlington Public Library — Community-Led Youth Service Model
Minister’s Award for Innovation — Small Libraries Category
Brighton Public Library — Tech Help One on One
Minister’s Award for Innovation Medium — Libraries Category
Halton Hills Public Library — Naturally Sustainable Cards Project
Minister’s Award for Innovation Large — Libraries Category
Vaughan Public Libraries — Vaughan Poetry Map
2015
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Small Libraries Category
Whitestone Hagerman Memorial Public Library– iLearn
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Medium Libraries Category
Huntsville Public Library– Sustainability @HPL
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Large Libraries Category (TIED)
Kingston Frontenac Public Library — King Con
Brampton Public Library — Welcoming Newcomers for Settlement Success
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small Libraries Category
Cochrane Public Library — The Next Chapter
Minister’s Award for Innovation Medium Libraries Category
Innisfil Public Library — Ready, Set, Action! Green Screening with Do Ink
Minister’s Award for Innovation Large Libraries Category
Markham Public Library — Markham Public Library Customer Service Revolution
2014
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Small Libraries Category
Perth and District Union Public Library– Perth Union Library Summer Literacy Program
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Large Libraries Category
Vaughan Public Library — Digital Outreach Strategy
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small Libraries Category
Township of Ramara Public Library — Simcoe County Libraries for Accessibility
Minister’s Award for Innovation Medium Libraries Category
Sault Ste. Marie Public Library — Searchmont Polar Express
Minister’s Award for Innovation Large Libraries Category
Toronto Public Library — Toronto in Literature: Map of Book Lists by Neighborhood
2013
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Small Libraries Category
Marathon Public Library — Summer Literacy
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Large Libraries Category
Essex County Library — Virtual Public Services – Bridging the Digital Divide
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small Libraries Category
Hanover Public Library — English as a Second Language Café
Minister’s Award for InnovationLarge Libraries Category
Toronto Public Library — Let’s Get Ready for Reading – A fun and easy guide to help kids become readers
2012
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Small library Category
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence Large library Category
Haliburton Public Library — Celebrity Readers of Haliburton County
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small library Category
Hastings Highlands Public Library — Sense of Place
Minister’s Award for Innovation Large library Category
Brantford Public Library — The Choices Project
2011
Angus Mowat Award of Excellence
Burlington Public Library for: I’ll Show You How
Minister’s Award for Innovation
Elgin County Public Library for: Check It In Check It Out: A Radio Show for Kids
2010
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small Public Libraries Category
Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small Public Libraries Category
Angus Mowat Award Small library Category
WhitestoneHagerman Memorial Public Library
Angus Mowat Award Small library Category
2009
Minister’s Award for Innovation Small Public Libraries Category