Building Bridges – Ontario Government and the Public Library

SectorOLA 2012 Super Conference

February 2, 2012Peter Armstrong, Director of Culture Programs and Services

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

The Value of Libraries: Statistical HighlightsProvince-wide access to public libraries:

Over 12.9 million people or 98.82% of the population served 1,085 service points across the province265 library boards that serve 427 organized municipalities, and 48 First Nations

Ontario’s Public Library system is well used and boasts:

Over 5 million active cardholdersOver 72 million in person library visitsOver 29 million in-library materials useOver 152 thousand programs attended by over 3 million peopleAlmost 128 million in direct circulationAlmost 9 million standard and electronic reference transactions

Holdings:

Over 32 million circulating volumes heldAlmost 17.7 million circulating titles held10,474 public computer work stations, of which 8,430 have internet access1,396 full-time professional librarians, 534 library technicians, 4,610 other paid staff15,505 volunteers

Support for Libraries

2011-12 MTCS Investments: $28 M in on-going annual funding Public Library Operating Grants $18.7M Ontario Library Service Agencies $4.4 M Ontario Library Association (OLA) $35,800 Pay equity funding for public libraries $2 M Connectivity $660,000 Virtual Reference Library $1.4M

Cultural Strategic Investment Fund From 2010 to 2012, 26 libraries received a total of $588,732

Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) To date in 2011-12, OTF has invested $342,000 in library initiatives across the province.

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The Power of Libraries: Building Bridges

Programs• Early literacy• Newcomer focus• Business development and career assistance• Technology, social media and computer literacy• Adult learning

Partners• Community museums• Art galleries• Municipal Cultural Planning partnerships• School boards and local schools• Government ministries and agencies• Heritage organizations