Project Report: The FOPL OpenMediaDesk Initiative

by | Jul 15, 2019 | FOPL News, Member Projects and Reports

The FOPL OpenMediaDesk Initiative The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) has spent three years engaging our publics through our network of all public libraries in Ontario with an innovative project for public libraries to influence election conversations, government policy, library funding, and the views of communities and opinion leaders on the value, impact and cost-effectiveness/productivity in building great communities. Our initiative is called the FOPL OpenMediaDesk Project.  This is a very wide-ranging and powerful, transformative project.  This document is an executive summary. In 2015 we knew we had to try something different.  Funding for public libraries hadn’t increased in 20 years.  We determined that we must answer these questions to be ready to advocate more powerfully with positive influence and results: Do we have enough information to move forward with power? Do we have supportable statistics on the size and activities of our sector? (Quantitative); Do we have measurements that show how our direct and indirect activities make an impact & move us forward for our residents and communities? (Qualitative); Can we express these in ways that engage, communicate and move minds? (Visuals); Can we map what is happening throughout Ontario on a collaborative basis (Maps); and, Can we prioritize these ‘numbers’ as proofs that speak with clarity and power? (Focus). Do we have the access to and relationships with key opinion leaders and decision makers to gain understanding and support for our initiatives? (Networks) Can we drive a narrative that tells the story and engages our funders and communities in support of our common goals? (Storytelling) Do enough of the right people in Ontario’s public libraries have...

Public Libraries in the Context of Ontario’s Culture and Sport Strategies

by | Nov 5, 2015 | FOPL News, Member News, Member Projects and Reports

Our Ontario government is engaging in a consultative process on developing Ontario’s first culture strategy as well as consulting with Ontarians about community hub strategies. This is great and your library associations have been consulted from the beginning by our ministry – Culture, Tourism and Sport. Leading up to Library Day (Nov. 25, 2015) at Queen’s Park, we will be sharing presentations and graphics that highlight our presence in Ontario’s important sectors of culture, sport and tourism.  The FOPL blog (FOPL.ca) will have over a dozen resources to assist your libraries marketing team to populate your websites and social media accounts. Ontarians love their culture and sports, but they use and visit their public libraries more! Feel free to share this PPT on your websites and social media.  You can link to FOPL or Slideshare.  As of 9 am on Nov. 5, 2015 many more images and materials are on the FOPL.ca website for your use. Master ppt what’s the most popular thing that ontarians visit editable version from Stephen Abram Comments:...

LearnHQ First learning module available now and #2 coming soon!

by | Oct 9, 2015 | FOPL News, Member News, Member Projects and Reports

Exciting Changes to Leadership by Design (via OLBA) The FOPL/OLA project to build e-learning modules and learning events for library boards in Ontario is moving well.  We are supported by a grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport through the Culture Development Fund. (Thanks!). These have been integrated with and built upon the Ontario Library Boards’ Association’s Leadership by Design program as a free, online learning tool specifically designed to help all Public Library Board Members and their CEOs to understand the roles and responsibilities associated with their positions. Budget oversight, community engagement, strategic planning, and succession planning — these are just some of the responsibilities required of board members to provide effective leadership for their libraries. Leadership by Design, is offered through LearnHQ, gives library board members an array of short and informative resources about these topics, and more. LearnHQ is the centralized e-learning environment, managed through SOLS, that co-locates all courses of interest to the library community of staff, librarians and board members.  the The course modules are mapped for each year of the four-year term of a public library board. MODULE 1 is now available online and by the end of the first year: You will be able to conduct and participate effectively in board meetings. You will be able differentiate between roles and responsibilities of a board member and a staff members (including the CEO) and identify how they work together. You will be able to develop a budget from previous year’s budgets. You will demonstrate appropriate behaviour within current legislation, laws, policies and best practices. You will be able to produce an...