Public Libraries 2020

Sessions attended:

Session # 308
What They Tell Us: Listening to your residents

Session # 500
Creative Communities

Session # 613
Partnering for Success: Public Libraries in 2020

Opening by Marg Rappolt, Deputy Minister of Culture outlined the 2008-2009 Ministry initiatives and reviewed key program and policy activities. The $15 Million Investment in Public Libraries from the Ministry of Culture for Winter 2009 is exciting news.

http://www.sols.org/ministryprojects/$15MillionInvestment/AnnouncementWinter2009.htm

It is then followed by a panel discussion on the Ministry's recent research study prepared by Wendy Newman on current thinking on the public library of the future and its potential application in Ontario. The discussion is based on a study done by Ms. Newman entitled Third Generation Public Library: Visionary Thinking and Service Development in Public Library.

http://www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/library/Newman_study_English.pdf

The study is 61 pages long and several interesting points in the report include:
• The importance of partnership with government:
Wendy Newman foresees a greater collaboration between public libraries and the government, especially through efforts to integrate newcomers and socially marginalized people. Information from projects conducted in the past 10 years reveal the crucial role that libraries will play in meeting language and social needs of these particular groups.

• Our role in Literacy:
According to Newman, public libraries in the twenty-first century will have an important function of helping users gain a level of literacy that enable them to choose and use information to meet specific needs.

• Our role in community – a diverse community:
Newman further attests that libraries of the future are not only the source of information, but will also serve as community meeting-places in the real and virtual worlds. Physical settings of future libraries will reflect a new environment and exciting atmosphere, and will utilized research-based approaches in contributing to the real and virtual communities.

Attending this workshop and listening to visionary speakers has deepened my understanding and knowledge of the future of public libraries, especially in a city like Markham that has a diverse population.