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AbstractAbstract

Continuing education and lifelong learning are

cornerstones of public library service delivery in Ontario.

Since 2002, AlphaPlus has studied the relationships

between provincially funded literacy agencies and local

public libraries to find where partnerships are

flourishing, and where others could take root.

Linking Literacy and Libraries facilitates and encourages

collaborative and effective partnerships that support

community development through the promotion of adult

literacy.

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Public Library Community ChartPublic Library Community Chart

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Public library service deliveryPublic library service delivery

Public library service delivery is funded by the Ontario

Ministry of Culture, and administered by that Ministry’s

Libraries Branch. Southern Ontario Library Service

(SOLS) and Ontario Library Service North (OLS-North)

are AlphaPlus’ equivalent in the Public Library

Community in Ontario. These agencies provide support

services to 400 public and First Nations libraries across

the province. As the largest public library system in

Canada, the Toronto Public Library (TPL) supports the

provincial library community through the Virtual

Reference Library (VRL).

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LBS Service Delivery in Ontario ChartLBS Service Delivery in Ontario Chart

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LBS service delivery in OntarioLBS service delivery in Ontario

Adult literacy service delivery is funded in Ontario

by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

(MTCU), and administered by its Literacy and Basic

Skills (LBS) Section. MTCU funds 300 agencies to

deliver literacy programming to over 50,000 adults

in four streams – Deaf, Native, Francophone, and

Anglophone. AlphaPlus is a Ministry funded service

organization that provides resources, information,

and technical support to the adult literacy

community in Ontario.

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Phase I: Phase I: Information / data gatheringInformation / data gathering

Library community survey• 119 public library CEOs, trustees, and service

agencies (OLS-North, SOLS) across Ontario (Response rate = 68%)

Literacy community survey• 104 delivery agencies, regional networks and

umbrella organizations across Ontario (Response rate = 71%)

Project promotion through networking and

conference

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What we discovered…What we discovered…

54%

3%

43%

Yes No Don't know

Existing library / literacy collaborations

Services provided:

• Library orientation / skills

• Learner recruitment

• Instructional space

• Computer time

• Tutor recruitment

• Curriculum support

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What we discovered…What we discovered…

70%

30%

Yes No

Potential library / literacy collaborations

Library supports sought:

• Library orientation / skills

• Learner recruitment

• Instructional space

• Computer time

• Tutor recruitment

• Curriculum support

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Phase I:Phase I:Project accomplishmentsProject accomplishments

• Draft final report *• Survey Data Compilation Report *• Data map linking public library and literacy

programs in Ontario communities * • Invitations to attend SOLS and OLS-North

sponsored events to promote AlphaPlus services• Promotional materials *

 

* See display copies on table

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Special eventsSpecial events

1. Golden Oak Awards

2. ALA / CLA 2003

• Reception• Poster session

3. SOLS First Nations

Spring Gathering 2003

4. OLA SuperConference

• Promotion (2003)• Workshop (2004)• Poster session (2004)

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Phase II: Phase II: Goals and objectivesGoals and objectives

Share resources• Provide literacy resources through Deposit Collections

Collection development• Provide collection development and evaluation through

consulting services and a concise guide

Community awareness• Establish reference group to discuss and share information• Publish and disseminate two articles in library and literacy

journals• Present a project overview at OLA SuperConference 2004

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Phase II:Phase II:Community development partnersCommunity development partners

Supporting community literacy partnerships in Ontario through Deposit Collection loans

• Lambton County Library

• Sioux Lookout Public

Library

• Six Nations Public Library

• Timmins Public Library

Collection development

• Vaughan Public Libraries

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Phase II and beyond:Phase II and beyond:Community development visionCommunity development vision

Future vision for Linking Literacy and Libraries is being

guided by a Reference Group * of key representatives the

following communities:• Ontario public library community • First Nations public library community• Ontario adult literacy community• Ontario family literacy community• Provincial and federal government sectors with fiscal and

policy responsibilities for each constituent community

* Please see display table for a list of Reference Group

members

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Our partners, today and tomorrowOur partners, today and tomorrow

Ontario Library

Service-North