Overview

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

There are two awards, each with categories for large, medium, and small libraries:

  • Minister's Award for Innovation recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact in a community and are of continued value to public libraries
  • Angus Mowat Award of Excellence recognizes a commitment to excellence in the delivery of public library service; these services can be old or new and can be ongoing

An independent committee of public library sector representatives review award submissions. Winners are announced at the annual Ontario Library Association superconference.

Browse the 2023 shortlist of nominees.

2023 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

Small Library Category

Mississippi Mills Public Library for: 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.

Large Library Category

Ajax Public Library for: 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.

Minister’s Award for Innovation

Small Library Category

Pembroke Public Library for: 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.

Medium Library Category

Timmins Public Library for: 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.

Large Library Category

Idea Exchange for: 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.

Past winners

Browse a list of past winners.