Spotlight on Ontario Public Libraries

What you need to know as a municipal councillor

Welcome to Your Library

Currently Serving the Community

Beyond Books

Beyond Books

Working TogetherPUBLIC LIBRARIES ENABLE LOCAL

GOVERNMENTS TO ACHIEVE: informed and involved citizens strong and fiscally sustainable communities improved economic and business development highly-skilled labour forces culturally diverse and inclusive communities safe, people-friendly places to settle, with high quality of

life increased communication and cooperation among

community groups enhanced cultural resources and awareness strong civic pride and local identity

Federation of Ontario Public Libraries - www.fopl.ca

Working Together

“Libraries and municipalities are natural partners. We respect the Board’s legal autonomy, but recognize that we serve the same community and have compatible objectives. Wherever possible – in formulating budgets, in developing policies, or in delivering programs – we work together to provide value-added service to our customers.”

Don Boyle

CAO, Haldimand County

How Libraries are Structured

Public Libraries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P44• Provincial legislation delegating local

obligation to provide public library service

• Libraries are established as independent corporations with a governing board

• Board of Trustees has the authority to set policy and manage library affairs

Appointing the Library Board

Council makes the appointments• Puts the call out for citizen

applications• Determines the composition• Appoints its own members to

complement citizen appointments• Understands the importance of

effective library governance

Duties of the Library Board

The Library Board has the legal duty to provide: “a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s unique needs”.

The Board can:• Enter into contracts• Engage employees & contractors

The Board must:• Appoint a Treasurer• Open a bank account in name of the board• Hold regular meetings

Library Board as Employer

• The Board hires the Library CEO• The Board manages CEO

performance• The Board determines the CEO’s

power and duties• The CEO manages the library staff

Access without Charge

According to the PLA, all public libraries must provide:• Free admittance• Free use of materials

And for residents of the service area:• Free loan of materials• Free use of reference & information

services

How are Libraries Funded?

Revenue

Municipal GrantEarned RevenueSpecial GrantsProvincial Grant

Network of Public LibrariesDid you know:

• Ontario's library system has more than 1,100 service points

• Public library patrons make over 69 million visits to local libraries across Ontario annually

• Virtually every library branch in the province also provides access to electronic

information through the Internet

Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture website

http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/libraries/libraries.shtml

Partnership & Collaboration

Strategic partner in program delivery• Serve the same public and address common

issues

Strive for alignment on delivery of services such as:• Services for newcomers • Multicultural celebrations • Skills development & retraining • Services for seniors• Economic development

Part of the Solution“Public libraries of the future will be

catalysts and leaders in community-based economic development.

They will have a strategic role in knowledge-intensive industries like digital media. They will also be mainstays of community based cultural planning and development …”

Wendy Newman

Third Generation Public Libraries:

Visionary Thinking and Service Development in Public Libraries to 2020

Explore More

Many resources are available to learn more about the public library – websites, manuals, special interest groups and membership organizations

Organize a tour – get inside and see!