culture strategy discussion at sc

Culture Strategy Discussion

Share Your Ideas!

Draft Discussion PaperTowards More Effective Public Libraries in the Context of the New Ontario Culture Strategy

Prepared for the Public Library Funding Review

Stephen Abram, FOPLShelagh Paterson, OLA

In consultation with:

Ontario Public Library Association (OPLA)Ontario Library Boards’ Association (OLBA)Chief Executives of Large Urban Public Libraries (CELUPL)Administrators of Medium Public Libraries of Ontario (AMPLO) pendingAdministrators of Rural and Urban Public Libraries of Ontario (ARUPLO) pending

Our TEAM!

Ontario’s Investment in Public Libraries. The Ontario Culture Strategy - Telling our stories, growing our economyThe specific recommendation we are responding to in the Culture

Strategy report is: • “Goal 2: Strengthen culture in communities, Strategy 1: Help build

strong community-based culture organizations:• Review and update provincial funding programs for public libraries to

build the capacity of libraries serving rural and remote communities, improve digital services and support leadership and innovation.”

https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-culture-strategy-telling-our-stories-growing-our-economy



Provincial Public Library Funding Background• Ontario’s Public Libraries are funded at the municipal and provincial level with the

primary portion of a public library budget funded by the municipal tax base (with the exception of First Nation Public Libraries). The province of Ontario provides a crucial but declining portion of funds annually to each public library through a mix of operating and special grants, and supplements. These funds have traditionally ensured some level of equity in service delivery and programs for public libraries across Ontario. In addition, the province has invested in two provincial service delivery agencies, Southern Ontario Library Service, and Ontario Library Service - North, and provides a small operating grant to the Ontario Library Association.

• In considering a review and update of provincial funding programs, we recommend that the ministry continue to provide funds through a public library operating grant, pay equity, funds for service agencies, and sustained project grants (for example, for connectivity, employment, innovation, research, etc.).

Summary of Funding HistoryThe Provincial Public Library Operating Grant (PLOG) was cut 50% in the mid-nineties.There have been no increases to this lower rate grant for over two decades – not even cost of living increases.The PLOG is widely perceived by municipalities and some libraries as unfair since it has not fully taken into account population changes.While several targeted grant opportunities were offered in the last decade these are now mostly sun-setting with no confidence that they will re-appear.Recent cuts included:• e-Resources funding grant ceased at Dec. 31, 2015 - $2.3 million• Connectivity funding prior to Dec. 31, 2016 - $400,000The following grants are up for review, renewal or sun-setting:• OLCF Funding - $10 million over 3 years through March 31, 2017• Connectivity funding• CELA funding - $900,000+While we appreciate and apply for grants with gratitude, these do not ensure sustainability for important programs and our institutions as we transform to adapt to the digital 21st Century.

The Net Present Value (spending power) of $33 million in 1996 has declined over 20 years to $14

million. The provincial government’s PLOG support of

Ontario’s public libraries has declined every year since the cuts of the 1990’s.

Our Key Recommendation

Modernize the investment and the relationship with

Ontario’s public library systems and agencies.

Critical Themes of Modernization• The amount of the investment in the public library sector must

increase to have greater impact for Ontario residents and keep pace with provincial economy.• There must be greater cross-ministerial co-operation in funding

capacity recognizing the public library role in our province and communities.• Public libraries play a multi-dimensional role in supporting social

vitality, educational success, cultural development, employment and provincial and local economic success and in the delivery of government programs and policies.

Recommendations for modernizing support for the public library sector1. Leverage and maximize the impact of the provincial investment in

the capacity of Ontario’s public libraries.2. Invest in the public library infrastructure to strategically support

Ontario’s culture strategy priorities. 3. Invest in strategies that will support culture, learning and

community development.

1. Leverage and maximize the impact of the provincial investment in the capacity of Ontario’s public libraries

1. The OLS’s (SOLS, OLS-North) should be enlarged and maximized for impact2. Collaborative Acquisition & Licensing3. Leverage Municipal Relationships (AMO, ROMA)4. Cooperative E-Resources Management and Licensing5. Modernize Public Library Data Collection for Real-time6. Mine the Long Form Census at the Provincial Level7. Simplify Reporting and Grant Management8. Modernize and Expand Bandwidth Funding9. Ensure Sustainable CELA Funding10. Fairly and Equitably Update the PLOG Model (including LSP’s, FN and size of library models)

2. Invest in the public library infrastructure to strategically support Ontario’s culture strategy priorities• Support cultural programming in public libraries• Upgrade digital tools and resources in all libraries• Ensure public libraries can acquire more Canadian and local content• Support immigration and refugees programming• Provide funding to finish AODA compliance in public and reserve libraries• Provide funding for employment and training initiatives through libraries• Provide program resources and funding for support of SME business,

entrepreneurs, start-ups, teen and women’s businesses through libraries.

3. Invest in strategies that will support community development• Recognize the important role public libraries play in cultural programming

and employment for digital and other creators and performers.• Support cultural activities for all libraries especially underserved groups

and populations.• Build stronger supports for youth cultural programming in public libraries.• Invest in a centralized provincial cultural online event calendar for

activities as well as social tools for promoting them.• Ensure that there is a free public library on every reserve as well as a

digital presence for all indigenous Ontario residents.

You’ve heard today . . .• There are 40 recommendations in the First Culture Strategy. More

than 3 relate to libraries• Community Hubs is a key Cabinet task force that is studying how our

sector and other ‘Hubs’ can be exploited for gains in Ontario• Indigenous Libraries and Truth & Reconciliation are key Foci of the

provincial government

Discussion Table Expectations• We are not trying to build policy yet . . . We’ll get to that soon• We are trying to build consensus and understanding• We are looking for stories and ideas of how our sector can support

these initiatives for positive results for libraries and Ontario communities and residents• We are focusing on the value and impact of public libraries in Ontario

in the context of provincial government funding priorities

The usual rules of brainstorming . . .• These are a time-tested, road-worn recipe for successfully generating ideas with your table

group:• Withhold Judgment and Criticism ... Every idea is worthy of consideration• More ideas and stories are better than one well crafted one (at this point)• One conversation at a time. ...• Be visual. ...• Headline your idea. ...• Build on the Ideas of others. ...• Stay on topic. ...• Encourage wild ideas.• Listen and Speak – Build on others ideas• Don’t get stuck on a single idea or topic.• Stay Positive – we do good work and have very high value• We have a lot of great brains here!

Process: At your tables:

• Appoint (or volunteer to be) a table monitor• Have someone volunteer to take notes (so you can talk to them and

submit them to the planning team)• Discuss the issue on the cards you’re given.• Write down your BEST Ideas and Stories.• Prepare to share one idea or story with the larger group (a few of you

will be asked)

• Easy Peasy!

AMPLO: Administrators of Medium Sized Public Libraries of Ontario

CELUPL: Chief Executives of Large Urban Public Libraries

One Voice: We’re in this together!

Contacts:• Stephen Abram, executive director, Federation of Ontario Public Libraries• c/o Toronto Public Library, 5120 Yonge Street• Toronto, ON M2N 5N9• [email protected]• Cel: 416-669-4855• FOPL: 416-395-0746• Shelagh Paterson, executive director, Ontario Library Association (including Ontario

Public Library Association, Ontario Library Boards Association, Ontario School Libraries Association and more divisions)• [email protected]• 416-363-3388 ext. 224

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

You are Table Number ONE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as COMMUNITY HUBS

Focus on Libraries, Leadership, Capacity, Digital Services, Innovation, Creativity, Learning, and First Nation Communities

You are Table Number TWO• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CULTURAL DESTINATIONS and CULTURAL INCUBATORS


You are Table Number THREE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as supports for Indigenous (First Nation) residents and communities.


You are Table Number FOUR• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CREATIVE SPACES for Learning and Making


You are Table Number FIVE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CENTRES OF LEARNING


You are Table Number SIX• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for community organizations


You are Table Number SEVEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for Schools and Boards of Education


You are Table Number EIGHT• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for Federal and Provincial levels of government


You are Table Number NINE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for Municipal and County governments


You are Table Number TEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT EQUALIZERS in any setting – rural, remote, small town, reserve, urban, and suburban.


You are Table Number ELEVEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE for increasing the capacity for 21st Century Digital Skills


You are Table Number TWELVE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as the one GREAT PLACE that serves EVERYONE


You are Table Number THIRTEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as COMMUNITY HUBS


You are Table Number FORTEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CULTURAL DESTINATIONS and CULTURAL INCUBATORS


You are Table Number FIFTEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as supports for Indigenous (First Nation) residents and communities.


You are Table Number SIXTEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CREATIVE SPACES for Learning and Making


You are Table Number SEVENTEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CENTRES OF LEARNING


You are Table Number EIGHTEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for community organizations


You are Table Number NINETEEN• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for Schools and Boards of Education


You are Table Number TWENTY• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for Federal and Provincial levels of government


You are Table Number TWENTY-ONE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT PARTNERS for Municipal and County governments


You are Table Number TWENTY-TWO• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as GREAT EQUALIZERS in any setting – rural, remote, small town, urban, and suburban.


You are Table Number TWENTY-THREE• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE for increasing the capacity for 21st Century Digital Skills



You are Table Number TWENTY-FOUR• Choose your moderator and note taker• Ready Set Go!

• Start your discussion by the exploring the role of public libraries as the one GREAT PLACE that serves EVERYONE


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