Introduction

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

2024 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Pembroke Public Library — Around the World in 90 Days Reading Challenge
  • Medium Libraries Category: County of Brant Public Library — Digitally Savvy Older Adults
  • Large Libraries Category: Kitchener Public Library — Food literacy programming

Minister’s Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Port Colborne Public Library — The Touch-a-Truck book – written and illustrated by the children of Port Colborne
  • Medium Libraries Category: Orillia Public Library — Human services coordination
  • Large Libraries Category: Barrie Public Library — Enhancing the customer experience with staff mobile devices

2023 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Mississippi Mills Public Library — Lanark STEM Program
  • Large Libraries Category: Ajax Public Library — Collection Diversity Audit

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Pembroke Public Library — Multilicious
  • Medium Libraries Category: Timmins Public Library — Library Book Bike (Vélo-Biblio)
  • Large Libraries Category: Idea Exchange — Multi-sensory room

2022 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Nipigon Public Library — A Superior Adventure
  • Medium Libraries Category: Innisfil Public Library — Monarch Butterfly Rearing Program
  • Large Libraries Category: Vaughan Public Libraries — Belonging Initiative

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Bracebridge Public Library — Party in the Park
  • Medium Libraries Category: Huron County Library — In Your Backyard
  • Large Libraries Category: Vaughan Public Libraries — COVID-19 Data Analytics and Research Team

2019 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Brighton Public Library  — Pop-up Library
  • Medium Libraries Category: Orangeville Public Library — Cultivating a Culture of Inclusion
  • Large Libraries Category: Whitby Public Library — Bike Month Partnership

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: The Blue Mountains Public Library — Reel History
  • Medium Libraries Category: King Township Public Library — Out-of-the-Box-Collection
  • Large Libraries Category: Brampton Public Library — Children’s Fine-Free Initiative

2018 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library — Bkejwanong Library Loves Literacy
  • Medium Libraries Category: Orillia Public Library — Remembrance Day Interactive Exhibit
  • Large Libraries Category: Vaughan Public Libraries — Customer Experience Model

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Arnprior Public Library — Music of Your Life (Music and Memory Program)
  • Medium Libraries Category: Pickering Public Library — Pickering Public Library Connect
  • Large Libraries Category: Simcoe County Public Library — Simcoe County Libraries Immigrant Hub

2017 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Rideau Lakes Public Library — MAPsack
  • Medium Libraries Category: Clarington Public Library — Winter WonderLearn
  • Large Libraries Category: Waterloo Public Library — Explore Play Learn @ WPL

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Fort Frances Public Library — Rainy River District Library Cooperative
  • Medium Libraries Category: Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County Library — Library Express – Alternative Service Delivery Depots
  • Large Libraries Category: Ottawa Public Library — À la Carte Food Literacy Project

2016 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category (TIED):
    • Carleton Place Public Library — Carleton Place Writes
    • Hastings Highlands Public Library — Crazy for Community Hubs!
  • Medium Libraries Category: Caledon Public Library — Click-Create-Celebrate Initiative
  • Large Libraries Category: Burlington Public Library — Community-Led Youth Service Model

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Brighton Public Library — Tech Help One on One
  • Medium Libraries Category: Halton Hills Public Library — Naturally Sustainable Cards Project
  • Large Libraries Category: Vaughan Public Libraries — Vaughan Poetry Map

2015 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Whitestone Hagerman Memorial Public Library — iLearn
  • Medium Libraries Category: Huntsville Public Library —  Sustainability @HPL
  • Large Libraries Category (TIED):
    • Kingston Frontenac Public Library — King Con
    • Brampton Public Library — Welcoming Newcomers for Settlement Success

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Cochrane Public Library — The Next Chapter
  • Medium Libraries Category: Innisfil Public Library — Ready, Set, Action! Green Screening with Do Ink
  • Large Libraries Category: Markham Public Library — Markham Public Library Customer Service Revolution

2014 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Perth and District Union Public Library — Perth Union Library Summer Literacy Program
  • Large Libraries Category: Vaughan Public Library — Digital Outreach Strategy

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Township of Ramara Public Library — Simcoe County Libraries for Accessibility
  • Medium Libraries Category: Sault Ste. Marie Public Library — Searchmont Polar Express
  • Large Libraries Category: Toronto Public Library — Toronto in Literature: Map of Book Lists by Neighborhood

2013 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Marathon Public Library — Summer Literacy
  • Large Libraries Category: Essex County Library — Virtual Public Services – Bridging the Digital Divide

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Hanover Public Library — English as a Second Language Café
  • Large Libraries Category: Toronto Public Library — Let’s Get Ready for Reading – A fun and easy guide to help kids become readers

2012 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Hanover Public Library — Computer Buddies
  • Large Libraries Category: Haliburton Public Library — Celebrity Readers of Haliburton County

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Hastings Highlands Public Library — Sense of Place
  • Large Libraries Category: Brantford Public Library — The Choices Project

2011 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Burlington Public Library — I’ll Show You How

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Elgin County Public Library — Check It In Check It Out: A Radio Show for Kids

2010 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category:
    • Whitestone Hagerman Memorial Public Library
    • Huntsville Public Library

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category:
    • Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library
    • Pickering Public Library

2009 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Caledon Public Library

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Englehart Public Library
  • Large Libraries Category: Markham Public Library

2008 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Manitouwadge Public Library
  • Large Libraries Category:
    • Burlington Public Library
    • Kitchener Public Library

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Russell Township Public Library
  • Large Libraries Category: Toronto Public Library

2007 winners

Angus Mowat Award of Excellence

  • Small Libraries Category: Seguin Public Library
  • Large Libraries Category: Port Hope Public Library

Minister's Award for Innovation

  • Small Libraries Category: Brock Public Library
  • Large Libraries Category: London Public Library