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 2025 short list nominees for the Minister’s Award for Innovation and the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence.

Markham Public Library

Girls in STEAM

Girls in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) is an eight-week, cohort-based program for Grade 9 girls interested in education and careers in the STEAM fields. Designed to support gender equity in the STEAM sector by addressing barriers to entry, the program pairs participants with female mentors established in STEAM industries. After participating in digital literacy training from library staff, participants develop STEAM-driven solutions to community challenges.

Carleton Place Public Library

Mini-Maker Craft Fair

The Mini-Maker Craft Fair, an innovation of the Carleton Place Public Library, goes far beyond the traditional craft fair experience. Starting during March Break and running for seven months, library staff mentor young entrepreneurs and creators ages six to eighteen, teaching key entrepreneurial skills such as merchandising, product pricing, improving customer service and making change. This work culminates in a fall craft fair where participants showcase and sell their hand-crafted products.

Cambridge Public Library

Kinesthetic Study Room

In 2025, Cambridge Public Library opened the KineStudy Room, a unique space designed to explore brain-body connections through physical activity and micro-movements. Ideal for kinesthetic learners, as well as those seeking an alternative to traditional study spaces, the inclusive space features movement-friendly seating options such as wobble stools, rocking floor cushions and pedal desks. It also offers fidget tools, flexible work surface options and interactive study aids—including a whiteboard, whiteboard tables and colour-coded write-on floor dots—to support different learning styles and encourage active engagement.

Greater Madawaska Public Library and Learning Centre

Weekend Readers

The Greater Madawaska Public Library and Learning Centre is located on the lower level of a school in Calabogie, Greater Madawaska Township, which serves as the largest township in Renfrew County with a population of nearly 3,000. The library created the Weekend Readers outreach program to make library materials accessible to resident children and youth in remote areas. In the first week of the school year, registration forms are sent home, and participating students receive a personalized book bag that includes books and magazines, learning activities, bookmarks and promotional materials. This program benefits local families by providing reliable access to fresh, relevant and age-appropriate reading materials.

Port Colborne Public Library

My Dream Borrow

“My Dream Borrow” is an innovative community engagement initiative from Port Colborne Public Library that reimagines traditional library lending. Rather than choosing which non-traditional items to lend to users, the library ran a contest, inviting community members to submit ideas for what they’d most like to borrow. The winning submission earned the honorary first borrow, and the library—with a small budget and big community spirit—crowdsourced ideas, purchasing seven winning items. The contest made dreams come true and introduced a unique, replicable model that centers around community voice.

Toronto Public Library

AI Upskilling Initiative

Toronto Public Library’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Upskilling Initiative bridges the growing AI divide by providing training to 11,000 community members and giving Torontonians access to generative AI tools, skills training and programs to support employment, boost productivity and encourage safe use of AI. Building on TPL’s proven record of broadening digital access and inclusion, this new initiative includes peer learning circles, one-to-one access to experts, hands-on workshops, professional-scale conferences and independent access to technology through library spaces. Best practices and lessons learned are shared across the library community.

Ajax Public Library

Ajax Public Library's Grandview Kids Express Branch

In November 2024, Ajax Public Library partnered with Grandview Kids to open a 640-square-foot Express Branch inside the centre’s new pediatric facility. Grandview Kids provides rehabilitation, medical, clinical and educational services for children, and the Express Branch serves their families with a specialized collection tailored to their needs. By leveraging the strengths and expertise of both organizations, this cost-effective partnership demonstrates how creative collaborations can bring vital library services to the smallest spaces and foster deeper community integration.

Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Public Library

Homework Club and Summer School Credit Recovery Program

The Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Public Library, in partnership with the Lambton Kent District School Board, supports youth through a Homework Club and Summer School that offer tutoring, mentorship and credit recovery to help students earn their Grade 12 diploma. The initiative promotes academic success, cultural pride and community connection, providing a safe, inclusive space for learning. This collaboration empowers First Nation youth to build confidence, honor their heritage and pursue new opportunities through education.

Clarington Library, Museums & Archives

Curious Communities

The Clarington Library, Museums and Archives created the Curious Communities—a discount program that helps community members save money while supporting local businesses. Participating businesses offer discounts or promotions to customers who present their library card. In return, the library, museums and archives promote the businesses through their website, social media channels and in-library materials, connecting businesses to an engaged community of patrons.

Quinte West Public Library

Food Literacy Through Community

Quinte West Public Library’s Food Literacy Through Community project, funded by a 2023 Ontario Seniors Community Grant, positioned the library as a place for learning and community building through interactive cooking programs. The library created inclusive experiences where participants of all ages could cook, learn culinary skills, share meals and build relationships. Senior volunteers were an integral component, fostering intergenerational engagement and helping to reduce social isolation. By focusing on food, the library offered a practical, engaging way for participants to learn new skills and connect with others, reinforcing the library’s role as an inclusive and welcoming community space.

Kitchener Public Library

Wellbeing and Community Connections

Kitchener Public Library’s Wellbeing and Community Connections initiative reimagines the role of libraries in supporting community well-being. In response to the opioid crisis, mental health concerns and deepening social inequities, the library created one of Canada’s first dedicated library-based outreach teams. Staff trained in trauma informed, relationship based practice connect with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction or crisis, while supporting colleagues in maintaining safe and welcoming spaces. The program shows how libraries can integrate social support with equitable access to learning, belonging and public space for all community members.

Burlington Public Library

Reading Reimagined: Transforming Readers Services at Burlington Public Library

Burlington Public Library refreshed its reader services as part of its commitment to fostering a love of reading. This multi-faceted initiative introduced standardized training for new staff, coordinated merchandising displays across all branches and a personalized “Handpicked for You” book selection service. The library also launched a Reading Challenge program, featuring monthly themed reading with online progress tracking, prize incentives and community meetups that connect readers. These integrated efforts have revitalized reader engagement while building a stronger foundation for sustained literary programming and community connection.

Caledon Public Library

Caledon Connections: Leveraging Partnerships to Support Community

Caledon Public Library and Caledon Community Services have partnered to bring innovative employment, training and essential community supports into library branches. By placing community services staff at three of the library’s branches, community members can seamlessly access life-changing services in trusted, barrier-free spaces. This collaboration strengthens social connections, promotes equity and maximizes community impact by uniting two vital organizations that are meeting people where they are to support lifelong well-being.

Pickering Public Library

Library Service Outreach Vehicle (OVEE)

In 2024 Pickering Public Library launched Durham Region’s only book mobile, OVEE, in response to a rapidly growing population in need of equitable library service. This mobile library and outreach vehicle brings services directly to neighbourhoods, schools and community centres, eliminating barriers to access and connecting more residents to vital information, educational opportunities and innovative programming. This exciting initiative exemplifies Pickering Public Library’s commitment to equitable, high-quality public library service, fostering meaningful community impact, supporting underserved populations and building strong partnerships across the city.

Renfrew Public Library

Golden Growth: Cultivate, Connect & Create

Golden Growth is a seniors-focused initiative at Renfrew Public Library, partially funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The project empowers seniors as leaders, mentors and creators through three phases: Connect, Cultivate, and Create. Activities include exploring technology and assistive devices, building accessible flower beds for the Sensory Garden, developing bilingual and Indigenous language signage and leading arts and cultural workshops—including painting, writing and storytelling. Golden Growth fosters intergenerational connection, lifelong learning and celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity.

Welland Public Library

Proactive Mailout Initiative

In response to a decline in new memberships following the COVID-19 pandemic, Welland Public Library began proactively mailing library cards and promotional materials to non-member households in the City of Welland. The project prioritized convenience by offering easy card activation in-person and online. This innovative program has reduced barriers to library access, significantly increased new user registrations and promoted services to underrepresented and equity-deserving residents.

Georgian Bay Public Library

Paddles & Pages: Marine Library Hub

Georgian Bay is known for its natural beauty, highlighted by remote shorelines, with 60% of the township accessible only by water. Working to reduce the barriers that come with water-access-only cottages, Georgian Bay Public Library partnered with Fire and Emergency Services for the 2025 season to launch the Paddles & Pages: Marine Library Hub outreach program. Leveraging existing relationships with cottage associations, Paddles & Pages helped to remove geographical barriers, making library services and essential educational programs more convenient and accessible for residents.