News & Updates

The 2022 Ontario Public Library Statistics are now available on the Ministry website at the following link: https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/ontario-public-library-statistics

Since its inception in 2016, Bridge has evolved from a pilot project focused on developing an effective data collection and reporting tool, to a sustainable suite of data services and solutions – now called Library Impact Ontario. The data findings in this report are focused on results from the Bridge Data Solution Platform, gathered by…

This is a reminder that the CFLA-FCAB Intellectual Freedom Challenges Survey continues to be available (here) for the recording of incidents in our libraries that challenge intellectual freedom.  The results for 2022 have been added to the CFLA-FCAB website (here) with reports from previous years.  The Intellectual Freedom Committee working group encourages reporting of incidents…

If you missed the conference, a recording is available on YouTube.

A thought-provoking article by The Walrus.... "Librarians once worried about shushing patrons. Now they have to deal with mental health episodes, the homelessness crisis, and random violence." Read the full article here.

FOPL and OLA met with Amanda Pape, liaison officer for the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, to communicate our provincial budget ask for Public Libraries on Reserve. We were able to connect about the issues affecting these libraries and the immediate measures needed to stabilize them. Dr. Sabrina Redwing Saunders, CEO of Blue Mountains Public Library,…

The Canadian Municipal Network on Crime Prevention Community of Practice Session on Safety in Public Libraries was held on May 31st, 2023. CULC's Safety and Security Working Group gave a fantastic panel presentation on this issue. Public libraries across Canada are facing an unprecedented increase in the frequency and intensity of security and safety incidents in…

Ajax Public Library CEO Sarah Vaisler speaks with Ismaila Alfa on CBC's "Fresh Air" to talk about upcoming drag queen storytimes. CEOs in Durham Region released a letter to counter recent pushback to the events being held and went on to speak about how the core of these programs is to promote acceptance, diversity and…

The Ontario Library Service continues to implement the Connecting Public Libraries Initiative, a $4.85M project investment made by the Province of Ontario to upgrade broadband internet service at approximately 50 public libraries in unserved and underserved communities across the province.  To date through the Connecting Public Libraries Initiative (CLI), 13 public library branches have been…

Stakeholder consultations with the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport were concluded in late March. We will be staying in touch with Ministry staff and offering any follow-up they may require. The MTCS has expressed an interest in “modernizing” the library sector’s funding contribution and we are hopeful that we will see some movement on…

If your library is looking to embark on a project for seniors and/or to make your space more accessible, this grant may be applicable. The Inclusive Community Grants Program helps ensure local governments and community organizations consider Ontarians of all ages and abilities at every stage of community planning and development. Inclusive communities respond to…

The Ontario Library Service is thrilled to partner with the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) to offer a free, enhanced accessibility training certificate program for public libraries to support Ontarians with print disabilities. The “CELA Service in Ontario Public Libraries” certificate is open to Ontario library staff and volunteers at all service levels. The…