Overview

The Ontario Public Library Service Awards recognize Ontario’s public libraries for their creative library service ideas.

Browse a list of past winners.

Shortlist of nominees

These are the 2023 short list nominees for the Minister’s Award for Innovation and the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence.

Ajax Public Library

Collection Diversity Audit

Ajax is exceptionally diverse. Approximately 64.6% of residents are from racialized communities. Ajax Public Library understood that its materials should reflect and be accessible to their patrons. They developed the Collection Diversity Audit — an in-house framework that measures the diversity of physical collections. It has improved the diversity of purchased materials and the selection of items that are used in programming and displays. This framework has also informed how the library codifies diversity work and supports employee teams, serving as an example to other library systems as they undertake their own audits.

Clarence-Rockland Public Library

Teen Engagement Initiative

The Clarence-Rockland Public Library has improved teen engagement within the community by organizing a hybrid teen/volunteer club that encourages volunteering, skills development and socialization. The Teen Engagement Initiative is a combination of individual actions that enable teens to thrive intellectually and socially, while also benefitting the local community.

Collingwood Public Library

CPL On the Go

CPL On the Go is a pedal-powered project that connects the Collingwood community and its visitors to the outdoors, active transportation and fun-filled library services. Collingwood Public Library's book bike operates during the green season and is equipped with a front cargo box that houses a rotating collection of outdoor-themed materials, best sellers, a book sale and innovative programming opportunities. The book bike service model is a nimble and adaptive way of bringing library resources to the community. CPL On the Go was made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Collingwood Public Library.

Idea Exchange

Multi-sensory room

The new multi-sensory room at Idea Exchange uses soft seating, tactile sensations, reflective materials and special lighting features to create a grounding space for everyone. Multi-sensory rooms increase concentration and improve motor skills, creativity, social relations and communication. The room is designed to respond to members' sensory processing needs, and provides a safe and soothing atmosphere that especially benefits those with autism, Down syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is available and accessible to all members of the public.

Mississippi Mills Public Library

Lanark STEM Program

The Lanark STEM Program enabled all five library systems in Lanark County to offer science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming to youth throughout the summer. STEM skills are essential for the next generation of innovators to realize their full potential, and libraries are the ideal place to foster these skills. Fun and accessible STEM programs such as Lego robotics and 3D printing workshops are very popular, and participants gain confidence to pursue their interest in STEM. Libraries in Lanark County shared core STEM supplies and STEM instructors. This high-quality programming would not have been possible without sharing these expensive resources.

Newmarket Public Library

Newmarket Cycles Program

Newmarket Public Library partnered with The Center for Active Transportation (TCAT) to bring educational programming and bicycle lending to the Town of Newmarket. Newmarket Cycles, a community bicycle hub, launched in 2022. It is a project of TCAT at Clean Air Partnership, a registered environmental charity that is based in Ontario. Since 2014, TCAT has focused on building a bike culture in suburban communities through community bike hubs — first in Peel Region, then in Scarborough and Markham. TCAT established a community bicycle hub in Newmarket in 2022 with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Oshawa Public Libraries

Teen Advisory Group haunted house event

Oshawa Public Libraries has offered a haunted house event at Halloween since 2006. This low-cost event is run by the Teen Advisory Group and attracts over 150 participants annually. It is an example of how to engage and educate teens in a hands-on manner.

Pembroke Public Library

Multilicious

Libraries are cornerstones of their communities. They offer unparalleled access to knowledge, technology and services that improve quality of life and grow local economies. The Pembroke Public Library created Multilicious with that objective in mind. Developed as a prelude to the library’s multicultural festival, Multilicious combines multicultural literacy with meaningful partnerships with Pembroke restaurants. This innovative take on the “shop local, eat local” movement exceeded all expectations and is relevant to any library that seeks to grow the local community while celebrating cultural diversity.

Richmond Hill Public Library

RHPL-Hillcrest Mall community partnership

The Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) teamed up with the Hillcrest Mall to provide pop-up library services in one of the most popular spaces in the city, where people of all ages spend their leisure time. This partnership was forged to increase awareness of the library, its programs and local impact, as well as bring an element of excitement, surprise and convenience to the library experience. This partnership has culminated in RHPL’s most popular and well-attended events since the COVID-19 pandemic, engaging more than 1,500 people over the span of three events, including: “Holiday Happenings,” “March Break Adventures,” and the “Summer Reading Club Kick-off.”

Thunder Bay Public Library

Reimagining the Indigenous Knowledge Centre: a partnership with TBPL and Sheridan College

The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) has taken the initiative to create path-breaking partnerships with local Indigenous communities to advance reconciliation. Creating a unique tri-party partnership, TBPL has built Thunder Bay’s first culturally appropriate Indigenous space within a settler institution. The design was led by Indigenous community members from inception to installation, and the craftsmanship carried out by students at Sheridan College’s furniture design program. TBPL has created a meaningful and culturally appropriate space while also welcoming non-Indigenous patrons to learn more about local Indigenous cultures.

Timmins Public Library

Library Book Bike (Vélo-Biblio)

The Timmins Public Library is cruising to community events in style. Its eCargo book bike adapts current in-house library services to outdoor environments that are open to the public. The eCargo bike houses materials for all ages to borrow, including tablets. Staff members promote library programs and services, offer membership registration, programming, Wi-Fi hotspots, checkout of library material and tablets, and digital technology instruction. The bike is decorated with Indigenous art to symbolize the relationships that the library has with all cultures in its region and also demonstrate the inclusive nature of the library. Staff believe that every person will find meaning in the beautiful Indigenous artwork, which showcases to the public how the library brings together diverse cultures. An innovative and interesting approach was used to reach out to people who may not traditionally visit the library locations, which had a positive impact in the community.

Vaughan Public Libraries

Kitchen Traditions

Throughout its Kitchen Traditions series, Vaughan Public Libraries invited older adults to share their culinary traditions with the community by leading public programs where they taught participants how to make a dish of their choosing. These dishes reflected the older adults’ cultural backgrounds, and they were encouraged to share personal stories with program attendees to further enhance intercultural and intergenerational exchange.

Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library

Adventure Zone

The Adventure Zone promotes health and active living and includes the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library’s new sport lending library. It provides equitable access to a variety of sport equipment, from bicycles to fishing rods and snowshoes. The Adventure Zone also serves as a hub for community interaction, outdoor exploration and shared experiences. This initiative aligns with the library’s vision of inspiring curiosity, embracing innovation and engaging the community, while also expanding its scope to promote active living.