HoOPLA
The Electronic Newsletter of the Ontario Public Library Association
May 2008
1. FROM THE PRESIDENT'S PEN
2. WHAT'S NEW
2.1 Fourth Edition of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines launched
2.2 Readers’ advisory training alert
2.3 Ontario giving $75M to arts
2.4 Discovering the Undiscovered
3. AROUND THE PROVINCE
3.1 OPL children's website recognized as one of best on Internet
3.2 Library News from Whitchurch Stouffville
3.3. Canuck Run Amok 2008!
3.4. Local History Gets a Boost @ Brampton
3.5 Kindergarten Class from Standing Stone School visits Mt. Brydges Library
3.5 Wellington County Breaks Ground on 2 New Libraries
4. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
4.1 Orillia Appoints New CEO
4.2 New CEO at Renfrew
4.3 Niagara-on-the-Lake Library Announces New CEO
5. NEXT ISSUE
1. FROM THE PRESIDENT'S PEN
The long winter is over and with the promise of summer to come; we have lots to look forward to. The same is true for the Ontario Public Library Association.
One amazing change that you may have noticed is the OPLA website. Thanks to Paul Trumphour, Councillor, our website is now loaded with current content and the headline news includes items of interest for public libraries around the world. Click on Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and you are automatically linked to the job boards for OLA, FIS and FIMS. The education institute courses listed on this page are pre-selected to be of interest to public library staff. The Committees button will lead you to information on our two very active committees: Children's and Youth Services and Reader's Advisory. If you haven't had a chance to have a look, take a moment and then bookmark it as a favourite so you can check it often.The Children's and Youth Services Committee is preparing to conduct a survey to update the "Child and Youth Services in Ontario Benchmarks and Statistical Report 2003". The first Ontario Benchmarks and Statistical Report came out in 1997 and once this survey is completed we will have a ten-year picture of how library service has changed for children and youth throughout the province.
The Reader's Advisory Committee hosted a free workshop in April with the Dewey Divas at Barrie Public Library. As always this workshop received rave reviews. The committee is now working hard on their annual event - RA in a Day, to be held on October 24 in Toronto.
The OPLA Council will have a joint meeting in June with the OLTA (Ontario Library Trustee Association). We are excited about this opportunity and what partnerships might develop. This meeting is just one of the actions we are undertaking to meet the initiatives in the OPLA Strategic Priorities document.
Bessie Sullivan (OPLA Vice-President) and I will be attending the OLA Board of Director's meeting on May 29-30 in Toronto and the Annual General Meeting will be held at that time. We encourage every member to participate in the AGM either in person or by teleconference on May 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. While there is no charge for this meeting, registration is required and can be done on-line at accessola.com
Thank you for your time. Enjoy the rest of HoOPLA!
Cindy Weir
CEO/Chief Librarian
Orangeville Public Library
519-941-0610 ext 222
cweir@orangeville.ca
2. WHAT'S NEW:
2.1 4th EDITION OF THE ONTARIO PUBLIC LIBRARY GUIDELINES LAUNCHED
The Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council is pleased to announce the publication of the Fourth Edition of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines. This marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the Guidelines program since the publication of the First Edition in 1997.
The Guidelines represent community-based norms for public libraries and public library development in Ontario. They are developed, monitored and revised by the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council, a broadly-based group, representative of the Ontario public library community. The Council reports to the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries.
The Guidelines provide a voluntary, self-regulated process, designed to analyze the state of development of a public library and enable it to attain and maintain consistently strong levels of service. While the primary target group is small, medium and county public libraries, the Guidelines may be used by other interested libraries.
Libraries that use the Guidelines have the option of seeking recognition as Accredited Ontario Public Libraries from the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council. Accreditation certificates are signed by the Minister of Culture and presented at the Public Library Awards Dinner at OLA Superconference. Accreditation is valid for five years. Margaret Williams, CEO of Brockville Public Library, says of her library's accreditation: "Achieving accreditation the first time gave us a solid basis for future planning and a framework for our successful re-accreditation audit in 2007. We have demonstrated to city council and to our community that we are dedicated to excellence in every aspect of library service. I recommend the accreditation process to all libraries".
With the Fourth Edition, a separate version of the Guidelines has been produced for the first time specifically for use by Ontario's First Nation public libraries. The development of a First Nations version of the Guidelines was a response to requests from the community for library guidelines that better reflect a First Nation public library context.
Among other changes, the Fourth Edition reflects developments in technology and adds new guidelines relating to services to young adults and to linguistic, ethnic and immigrant groups. Information on updating your accreditation, including a summary of the differences between the third and fourth editions, can be found at www.library.on.ca/links/clearinghouse/accreditation/ resources/UpdatingOPLGclinichandout.pdf
The Fourth Edition of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines is available in English and French.
The Ontario Ministry of Culture has generously provided Council with funds to print one copy of the Guidelines 4th Edition for each public library in the province.
Ontario Library Service-North and Southern Ontario Library Service provided essential editing, marketing and translation services.
A free, downloadable version of the English, French and First Nations versions of the Fourth Edition of the Ontario Public Library Guidelines, along with a list of accredited libraries, can be found at the following Web address: http://www.olsn.ca/Guidelines/Opl_guidelines.htm
Contact: Elise C. Cole, Chair
Email: ecole@oakville.ca
Tel.: (905) 815-2042 x 5037
2.2. READERS’ ADVISORY TRAINING ALERT
Readers’ advisory training alert - OPLA’s Readers’ Advisory and Children’s and Youth Services Committees want to offer you a sneak peak at RA in a Day 2008. Scheduled for Friday, October 24th in Toronto, OPLA’s two standing committees are working together to offer what is sure to be an exciting program.
This "DAY" will bring some of the key Readers' Advisory advocates together to share their knowledge and expertise on meeting the needs of readers; so whether you are new to the field of reader guidance or highly skilled at making reading suggestions --plan now to attend this day and discover techniques to enhance your Readers' Advisory Skills.
The day will feature two sessions:
1. RA 2.0 - Public Service Librarians are using Blogs, Wikis, Push Technologies and more to connect with readers. Learn what's working, how it works and what not to do.
2. Book Buzz -- RA for YAs. Adults reading books published for Teens? Which Adult books really appeal to Teens? Diana Herald, the author of Genreflecting and Teen Genreflecting will give us the scoop on the hottest Teen books.
The day also includes an author session, and the committee is thrilled to be able to announce that award winning author Helen Humphreys will be joining us to discuss her most recent book "The Frozen Thames". Humphreys is the author of Leaving Earth, The Lost Garden, Afterimage and Wild Dogs.
Filled with lots of practical information, tips and tricks, RA in a Day on October 24, 2008 is not to be missed!!!
The fee will be $139.00, this is the same as the fee charged the previous two years. Please encourage "everyone" you know to sign up, registration will be opened very soon so libraries can add this to their training budget planning.
Sharron Smith, Manager, Readers' Advisory Services Kitchener Public Library
Phone: 519-743-0271 ext. 259 Fax: 519-743-1261
Sharron.Smith@kpl.org
www.kpl.orgr
2.3 ONTARIO GIVING $75M TO ARTS
April 02, 2008
Toronto Star - entertainment - TheStar.com
Martin Knelman, Entertainment Columnist
The Ontario government is showering the arts with several surprise end-of-the-fiscal-year bonuses featuring six zeroes each, adding up to about $75 million. Most of this has not yet been announced, but details are contained in a little-known corner of the provincial cultural ministry's website, under the heading "Fourth Quarter Investment Projects."
http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/about/q_4_report.htm
In other words, this money is a last-minute part of the 2007 budget, whose year end fell on March 31, rather than the 2008 budget, which was recently unveiled. So the cheques must go out sooner rather than later. Among the luckiest winners are two cash-strapped museums, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum, and one ambitious new arts festival, Luminato.
…
Libraries are also big winners. The Southern Ontario Library Service is being handed $15 million to increase the public's access to information and collections. And as recently announced, the Toronto Reference Library at 789 Yonge St. is getting $10 million to help with a five-year expansion plan.
The Canadian Film Centre will receive $2.5 million to improve its training facility. Knowledge Ontario gets $5 million to renew database licences, and $4 million goes to the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.
The Ontario Science Centre gets $2,176,000. There is also $747,000 for the Ontario Heritage Trust and $388,000 for Science North. "This is one of the most positive moves we have seen from any government," says William Thorsell, CEO of the ROM.
Matthew Teitelbaum, his counterpart at the AGO, says: "We're grateful to the province, which believes in culture as a driver of economic prosperity." This bonus will enable the AGO to open its expanded building with a clean slate, Teitelbaum says.
Stephen Nelson
Chief Librarian, Woodstock Public Library
2.4 DISCOVERING THE UNDISCOVERED
Presented by: Ontario Public Library Association Readers' Advisory Committee
Librarians love their jobs! And one of the reasons for this is that they take great pleasure in choosing books that they think or hope their customers will want to read!
Award winning titles are almost sure bets to be popular, and so adding them to acquisition lists doesn't take a lot of forethought. However, librarians know there are dozens of other wonderful titles published every year that don't rise to the top of Bestseller Lists, Award Lists, or People's Choice Lists, but nevertheless would be great reads for their patrons. But how do they discover these undiscovered treasures? What sleuthing strategies yield the best bets?
This event, planned with librarians in mind, will not only uncover some of the treasures published in recent years, but will also feature a map to finding the treasures.
Sharron Smith, Manager of Readers' Advisory Services at Kitchener Public Library will moderate a panel which will include an experienced collections development librarian, a bookstore owner, and a representative from a Canadian small press. To register paste the following link in your web browser: http://www.exporeg.com/book/?CampaignCode=CampGE
Sharron Smith, Manager, Readers' Advisory Services Kitchener Public Library
Phone: 519-743-0271 ext. 259 Fax: 519-743-1261
Sharron.Smith@kpl.org
www.kpl.orgr
3. AROUND THE PROVINCE
3.1 OPL children's website recognized as one of best on Internet
Ottawa - The Ottawa Public Library's (OPL) children's website has been selected as an official Webby Award honouree. The Webby Awards are recognized as the leading international honour for the Internet.
The OPL website, Bopl's Book Club was conceived by local communications firm 76design based on learning outcomes for literacy supplied by OPL staff. Less than 15 per cent of the 8,000 websites entered qualified for the honouree designation, which recognizes outstanding web design and functionality.
Hailed as the "Oscars of the Internet" by the New York Times, The Webby Award is the leading international award honouring excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile websites. The awards are judged by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization that includes David Bowie, Harvey Weinstein, Arianna Huffington, AKQA Global Creative Director Rei Inamoto, Matt Groening, Jamie Oliver, Internet inventor Vinton Cerf, and RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser. The Webby Awards and The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences are registered trademarks of International Data Group. For more information, visit www.iadas.net.
"The Webby Awards honours the outstanding work that is setting the standards for the Internet," said David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards. "Bopl's Book Club, an Official Honouree selection, is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators."
"This is a tremendous thrill for the Ottawa Public Library," said OPL Children's and Teen Services Manager Jane Venus, "and a tribute to OPL staff who worked closely with the talented professionals at 76design to produce this award winning website for children."
Bopl's Book Club, named after the OPL's mascot Bopl, the fire-reading dragon, is a safe, interactive website that celebrates reading for children. On this website young readers can create their own book-based pages with book reviews, games, quizzes and even "lost chapters" of their favourite books. As children master their reading skills, the website encourages children to take the first steps in becoming critical readers. Bopl's Book Club makes reading a shared online activity by making it easy to contribute book reviews, see what others are reading and reviewing, and comment on it. Visit this award winning website at http://kids.biblioottawalibrary.ca/
Parents and children have responded positively to the interactive website featuring the OPL's lovable mascot. "Though the OPL website I introduced my three-year old son to Bopl (about 2 months ago). Over time it has become such a popular feature of our home that my son has learned the alphabet through it (phonics, shapes and words). He knows exactly how to operate the computer to 'play' Bopl and he constantly demands to play with him whenever he is free. I am happy because he is learning by leaps and bounds. English is not even our first language," said Mrs. Zaineb Vigas, an appreciative parent.
"It was a real treat for our staff to work with the professionals at the Ottawa Public Library. They were very supportive of our vision for a website that encourages kids to write book reviews for each other." said Mr. John Sobol, Senior Consultant at 76design. "Their enthusiasm for this exciting project demonstrated a level of institutional commitment to innovation shown by very few clients. I think this international honour confirms that our collaboration on this project was a great success." Find out more about 76design at: www.76design.com/
The Ottawa Public Library is very proud to be in select company on the Internet with the other honourees in the youth category including websites promoting the interests of corporate giants Disney, Sony, MTV and others. The OPL's commitment to bring entertaining and interactive online activities to children in order to promote early literacy and the love of reading are reflected in this international recognition.
For more information:
Alan Roberts, Manager
Community Partnerships and Programming
Ottawa Public Library
613-580-2424, ext. 41240
3.2 Library News from Whitchurch Stouffville
The Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library has just begun a "Paws to Read™" program in conjunction with the Therapeutic Paws of Canada, a national Non-Profit volunteer organization. The "Paws to Read™" program helps children improve their reading skills. Each child (age 7 – 14 years) has 10 minutes to sit and read a story of their choice to the dog (Eneda, a beautiful Hungarian German Shepherd). TPOC "child certified" dogs are assessed and must display temperament that shows confidence, good manners and sociability with other dogs and people. The program runs for an hour each Thursday for 6 weeks. Eneda has already proven to be a big hit as our first 12 weeks have already been filled.
Anne Houle
Co-ordinator of Children and Youth Services
Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library
905-642-7323 x 228
905 640-1384
ahoule@whitchurch-library.on.ca
3.3. CANUCK RUN AMOK 2008!
Several Ontario public libraries are, at time of writing, being soundly whipped by out-of-province competition in a friendly virtual footrace across Canada. Organized by the Hamilton Public Library’s Social Committee, the Canucks Run Amok 2008 Challenge was launched in early March, with 13 teams participating, 8 of which are located in Ontario. Participants clock their walking or running mileage week by week and submit to a central scorer, who plots the leading team’s weekly distance on a cross-Canada map. The race follows the TransCanada Highway (on Google Maps), beginning in St. John’s and ending in Vancouver. A handicapping system has enabled teams as small as 2 (in Aurora) or as large as 81 (in Hamilton) to compete on equal footing, as it were. The Biblioth que publique de Westmount Public Library, the sole entry from Quebec, burst out of the starting gate on March 3 and has not looked back. There is some speculation that competitors from la belle province are really closet members of Canada’s long distance Olympic team. However, the competition between the remaining teams from as far east as Fredericton, N.B. and as far west as Richmond, B.C. is proving to be fairly close and may not have yet wrapped up by the time Ho-OPLA appears. For a status update on Ontario teams (which include public libraries in Burlington, Brantford, Innisfil, Aurora, Toronto, Hamilton, Oshawa and Kingston), check out http://www.canucksrunamok.blogspot.com. The winning team will be f ted at the OLA Super Conference in 2009. The losing teams, although fitter than when they started, will have several months to lick their wounds.
Michelle Penta
Adult Services Librarian – Diverse Communities
Hamilton Public Library (Central Branch)
Tel. (905) 546-3200 Ext. 3430
mpenta@hpl.ca
3.4. LOCAL HISTORY GETS A BOOST @ BRAMPTON
Brampton Library has officially unveiled the new home of the Local History and Genealogy collections at its Four Corners Branch.
Moving these collections has made them more accessible to those customers interested in investigating the history of Brampton and other areas of Peel Region, and researching their own genealogical history or that of other local residents, past and present. This relocation literally moves the collections from behind closed doors into a bright, inviting and highly visible space that encourages their use, and in closer proximity to the Peel Archives to facilitate additional opportunities to support Local History.
A number of special guests were on hand to celebrate the unveiling, which took place at the end of February, including City Councillor John Hutton and Bob Crawford, Vice-Chair of the Peel-Halton Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society (OGS), which owns the genealogy collection housed by the Library.
3.5 KINDERGARTEN CLASS FROM STANDING STONE SCHOOL VISITS MT. BRYDGES LIBRARYIn December Mary McIntyre, Supervisor of Mt. Brydges branch of Middlesex County Library, was approached by Christine Campbell from the Standing Stone Elementary School at Oneida to see if a regular library visit could be arranged for the kindergarten class. They agreed that a monthly visit would work for both the class and the library. Since January, the class of 24 children has been coming to listen to stories and to check out books. Many of the children are accompanied by a parent or grandparent.In addition to checking out books, the children participate in a storytime presented by the library's Sue King. The children are able to listen to stories, sing a few songs and make a small craft to take home. "I am enjoying this group very much. The children are well behaved, enthusiastic and polite" says Mrs. King.
Experts tell us that reading to our children and helping them discover the world of books at the public library are important steps towards life long literacy. But for this energetic group of kindergarten kids their monthly visits are just a whole lot of fun.The program will continue until school is out in June.
Patricia Wallace, Children's Librarian
Middlesex County Library
519-245-8237 x 27
pwallace@county.middlesex.on.ca
3.6 WELLINGTON COUNTY BREAKS GROUND ON 2 NEW LIBRARIES
The County of Wellington along with the Townships of Mapleton and Wellington North held ground breaking ceremonies today to celebrate construction of a new library in Drayton and a library/medical dual purpose facility in Arthur.
The Drayton library will be located on 106 Wellington Street South. The 7,000 square foot building will include a multi-media community room to hold library events and will be available for public rental. A gas fireplace, and window reading nooks will provide a cozy and pleasant environment for visitors. The Drayton Historical Society will have a permanent display area in the library.
The Arthur library/medical dual purpose facility will be located on 110 Charles Street. This unique two storey structure will have a 4,000 square foot medical centre on the top floor with a local doctor and Family Medical Team. The 4,000 square foot library branch will be on the main floor and will include a separate programming room for library events, several windows providing natural sunlight, and a gas fireplace offering a quiet and comfortable reading environment. A full basement will feature a multi-media boardroom available for public rental and for the Family Medical Team to administer medical programmes.
"Today is a great day. Wellington County is breaking ground on two unique structures which will be a wonderful asset to the residents in the Arthur and Drayton areas," commented Wellington County Warden John Green. "This is another great example of cooperation and partnerships that has become a County of Wellington staple."
Information, Heritage and Seniors Committee Chair, Brad Whitcombe, said "The groundbreaking celebrations for the new library in Drayton and the library/medical centre in Arthur represent the County’s commitment to invest in our communities while continuing to raise the standard of our library services to the highest level. As Chair of the library committee, I am grateful for the commitment and vision of the committee members as we continue on our journey to create a library system in the County of Wellington that is second to none."
"The community is very excited about the new library/medical dual purpose facility opening in Arthur. It’s an important resource for us. Great things are happening in Wellington North," remarked Mayor Mike Broomhead.
"These new buildings are going to be fantastic. Staff look forward to working in these modern learning facilities," said Chief Librarian Janice Hindley.
Both buildings will be wheel chair accessible, house public library computer terminals, equipped with wireless Internet access and are scheduled to open in mid-October to coincide with Ontario Public Library Week.
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Ravensdale, County Communications Officer
(519) 837-2600 ext. 2320
andrear@wellington.ca
4. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS:
4.1 ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD APPOINTS NEW CEO
The Orillia Public Library Board is pleased to announce that Dawn S. Silver is the successful candidate of the search for a CEO to replace Mike Saddy following his retirement.
Silver is formerly the Branch Head of the Kelowna Library of the Okanogan Regional Library in British Columbia.
Prior to that, she was area manager of the Fraser Valley Regional Library where she was involved in the construction of a new library in the District of Kent, Agassiz, and the conversion of a building in the Township of Langley in Murrayville to a library.
Silver has Bachelor degree in the classics from the University of Alberta, and a Master of Library and Information Studies degree from the University of British Columbia. She has worked in college and university libraries and as a computer software trainer.
The search committee, councilor Mike Fogarty, library staff Lynn Gibbon and Lee Kelly, community representative Bruce MacMillan, and John Swartz, chaired by Mort Seymour, were pleased to have had 17 submissions for the position from applicants living in four Canadian provinces.
Board chair, John Swartz, especially wants to recognize the leadership of Seymour in this task. He also welcomes Silver to the City of Orillia.
"We can’t wait for the arrival of Dawn to Orillia to start her new job. I know she’ll like it here, and I know she is anticipating the challenge of helping to build a new library for the citizens of Orillia to enjoy."
Silver starts the next phase of the Orillia Public Library’s endeavour and commitment to community development on April 14.
Contact: John Swartz, Chair, Orillia Public Library Board, 705-326-4070, johnswartzencode.com; Dawn Silver 250-868-0868
4.2 NEW CEO AT RENFREW
The Chair and Trustees of Renfrew Public Library Board are pleased to announce that Bettijane O’Neill of Dunrobin Ontario has been acclaimed as the next Chief Librarian/CEO of the Renfrew Public Library. She will join the Library on May 20, 2008 and will undergo a two-week handover period with the incumbent, Subhash Mehta who is retiring after serving the past five years in that position. Bettijane is a Library manager with more than 14 years experience in Branch management, collections management, public relations, adult, children’s and young adult Librarianship. She has recent training and experience as an elementary school teacher. She has a Master’s degree in Science, specializing in Elementary Education and Master’s of Library Science degree from the University of Western Ontario. Renfrew Public Library Board of Trustees join the staff in welcoming Bettijane to the team
Dean Black
Chair Renfrew Public Library Board
613 232 4281
Renfrew Public Library
www.renfrew.library.on.ca
613-432-8151
4.3 NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE LIBRARY ANNOUNCES NEW CEO
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Smith to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mr. Smith comes to Niagara-on-the-Lake after 17 years in a variety of public library positions, first in Oakville, then in St. Catharines. He brings significant experience in technology and integrated library systems, collection development and marketing to the business community. As a member of the senior management team in St. Catharines, he has been involved in budgeting, policy development, and staff training and development. He also continues to enjoy spending time on the information desk, the best way to learn what library patrons need and want.
As a history enthusiast, Mr. Smith looks forward to working at the NOTL Library to support the Town’s heritage through the library’s collections. He has a Masters of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Toronto and an Honours degree in Political Science from Brock University.
"We are fortunate to have had such a range of good candidates and look forward to working with Mr. Smith," says Bob Henderson, Library Board Chair. The Southern Ontario Library Service assisted the Board in the recruitment process.
Mr. Smith will assume his duties on May 26, 2008. Debbie Smith will continue as interim CEO until Mr. Smith arrives.
Contact:
Bob Henderson, Niagara-on-the-Lake Board Chair
(905) 468-2023
http://www.notlpubliclibrary.org/
5. NEXT ISSUE:
The deadline for the August issue will be July 15, 2008. Please send contributions or questions to rdenham@st-thomas.library.on.ca