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 2024 short list nominees for the Minister’s Award for Innovation and the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence.

Barrie Public Library

Enhancing the customer experience with staff mobile devices

In 2022, the Barrie Public Library refreshed its customer experience strategy by shrinking the size of its service desk and encouraging staff to circulate throughout the library. With this change, the library needed to provide staff with tools that allowed them to communicate seamlessly with each other and access the library catalogue and interlibrary loan service — whether they were in the library or in the community at an outreach event. The library took the innovative step of providing frontline staff with mobile devices and headsets, enabling them to register patrons for a library card, check out items and help with their accounts on the spot, greatly enhancing the library’s customer service experience.

Bracebridge Library

Musical annual report

Recognizing the challenge of presenting its annual report amid the deluge of information that their town council receives, the Bracebridge Library developed a unique solution to convey its numerous achievements and future goals: a musical annual report. This creative presentation featured a mash-up of Disney parody songs that highlighted the library's services, milestones and aspirations. Entirely written, performed, recorded and edited by the talented library staff, the musical report not only showcased their creativity, but also captured the attention and admiration of the council. The debut performance was met with overwhelming enthusiasm and support, underscoring the library's vital role and the positive impact of its innovative approaches in the community.

Brantford Public Library

Peer support team

Brantford Public Library’s peer support team was developed as a resource for library workers experiencing challenging workplace incidents. A team of empathetic individuals who positively model personal self-care and wellbeing strategies was recruited and trained to facilitate access to support and wellness knowledge for their peers. Following the principles of psychological first aid and building on shared experiences, the peer support team actively listens, engages in non-judgmental conversations and provides suggestions that foster health and wellbeing, primarily through informal approaches.

County of Brant Public Library

Digitally Savvy Older Adults

Adults 55 years of age and older make up the fastest-growing demographic in Brant County. As a result, the Digitally Savvy Older Adults program series was created by the County of Brant Public Library to engage, educate and entertain this dynamic group, featuring workshops aimed at increasing awareness of identity theft and other online scams, as well as developing technology-related skill sets. Participants learned how to safely navigate online spaces and gain confidence when interacting with unfamiliar technology.

Kingston Frontenac Public Library

Kingston Youth Climate Council

With climate change being one of the most pressing global issues, the Kingston Frontenac Public Library is committed to supporting the development of a sustainable future for youth while involving them in the process. The library offers a unique leadership opportunity for teens called the Kingston Youth Climate Council. Volunteers help design, execute and lead a process of climate education, connection, empowerment and action that engages youth in Kingston.

Kitchener Public Library

Food literacy programming

In 2019, Kitchener Public Library initiated 85 Green, a food literacy project aimed at addressing after-school hunger in children and teens, providing education on sustainable food practices, and encouraging hands-on culinary experiences — all while celebrating diverse cultures through food. Subsequently, the library has grown partnerships, programming and community awareness through integrated opportunities to encourage food literacy. In 2024, 85 Green is a thriving initiative that prioritizes food literacy outcomes through culturally significant programming. The library is positively contributing to food self-efficacy, food skills and knowledge, and is directly affecting social determinants of health.

Kitchener Public Library

Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference

Kitchener Public Library's central location, in partnership with local Black leadership and Wilfrid Laurier University, hosts the Grand River Black Music Festival and Conference, a multi-day event celebrating Black music and artistry. The event features concerts, workshops and discussions with a focus on youth development.

Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library & Front of Yonge Public Library

Spice Club

The Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library, in partnership with the Front of Yonge Public Library, created Spice Club to bring together a group of food lovers who enjoy trying new flavours. The club was started in December 2023, and has quickly built a community of food lovers who share ideas, interact with one another, share photos of recipe successes (and fails!) and more. Spice Club also easily ties into other library services, such as Seed Library and a partnership with a local community garden.

Markstay-Warren Public Library

Game-on sports and recreation for children and youth

Markstay-Warren Public Library’s Game-on program gave children and youth free access to play, socialize and gain skills in baseball, ball hockey and soccer. Activities occurred Monday to Thursday evenings during the months of May and June, and equipment was readily available. By providing access to sporting activities, the library enabled participants to engage in friendly competition, team building and physical activity. The library’s goals were aimed at learning new skills, developing self-confidence and building character.

Milton Public Library

Cloud-based printing solution: enhancing accessibility and convenience at Milton Public Library

Milton Public Library launched a cutting-edge, cloud-based printing solution in early 2024, revolutionizing patron access by allowing printing from anywhere through a user-friendly app. This service generates a secure PIN for print release at the library, while offering seamless payment options via Google Pay and Apple Pay. Demonstrating exceptional community impact, first-quarter usage nearly matched the library’s typical annual volume, highlighting its success. This initiative exemplifies the library’s commitment to delivering innovative, accessible and convenient services.

Milton Public Library

Bridging generations: The Hand-Me-Down Project

Milton Public Library’s The Hand-Me-Down Project was a dynamic initiative designed to celebrate and leverage the rich experiences of local seniors by connecting them with younger generations in the community. Through a series of intergenerational workshops, the project focused on skills sharing in areas such as trade, crafting and culinary arts. These workshops fostered meaningful interactions, cultural exchange, and mutual learning between seniors and youth, creating a space where knowledge was passed down and preserved.

Orillia Public Library

Human services coordination

The Orillia Public Library created a human services coordinator role to provide person-centric social supports and community navigation services to vulnerable library patrons and staff. Employing a trauma-informed approach, and working from a harm-reduction lens, the coordinator connects under-resourced patrons to relevant services and provides brief case management to individuals as needed. The coordinator collaborates with local service providers to deliver on-site programming, creating a communal space for organizational partners to reach shared clientele. The coordinator provides support to library staff via education, de-escalation and debriefing. This has improved staff wellness, increased library safety and reduced police intervention.

Pembroke Public Library

Around the World in 90 Days Reading Challenge

The Around the World in 90 Days Reading Challenge, initiated by the Pembroke Public Library, has grown from a one-time library event to a community-wide collaboration within the Renfrew and Lanark counties of the Ottawa Valley. In partnership with six different libraries (Deep River Public Library, Killaloe District Public Library, Lanark Highlands Public Library, Perth & District Union Public Library, Smiths Falls Public Library and Whitewater Region Public Library) and one school classroom, staff members from each site strove to expand cultural awareness and appreciation in their rural communities. This effort to bolster multicultural literacy was done by showcasing books about various countries as well as engaging patrons through fun challenges and educational programming for all ages.

Pickering Public Library

Equity-focused, community-driven strategic planning

Pickering Public Library values community input that represents everyone. In partnership with Saffy, a consultant group known for developing equity-centered strategies, the library developed its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan using innovative methods like a civic lottery and a resident volunteer advisory committee. This committee, reflecting Pickering’s diversity, promoted pop-ups, focus groups and surveys to ensure all voices were heard. This inclusive approach not only helps the library meet current and future needs, but also sets a new standard for equity and inclusivity in its services.

Port Colborne Public Library

The Touch-a-Truck book – written and illustrated by the children of Port Colborne

The Port Colborne Public Library participated in the municipality's annual Touch-a-Truck event by inviting children to create drawings and write about their favorite vehicles. These pages were compiled into a book, catalogued for library circulation, and distributed to various city departments and partners. The project engaged the community, celebrated the city's services, and promoted literacy by making the children published authors, resulting in a popular, community-centric initiative that highlights the collaboration between the library, city departments and the residents of the community.

Whitby Public Library

World Religion Day 2024: Faith Through the Arts

In January 2024, the Durham Multifaith Community, in partnership with the Whitby Public Library, coordinated World Religion Day: Faith through the Arts, a daylong event celebrating the religious and cultural diversity of Durham Region. This celebration included musical performances, interactive art displays, food, culturally diverse entertainment, and other activities to engage and educate. Patrons were able to experience the unique religious and cultural offerings of their community.