4

COMMUNICATION & COUNSEL

Subject: Monthly Report

Prepared by: Barbara Clubb, City Librarian

Prepared for: Ottawa Public Library Board

Meeting of: November 15, 2010

Date of preparation: November 3, 2010

OPL Mission Statement: Building a strong Ottawa community by supporting literacy and life-long learning, fostering inspiration and enjoyment and connecting people to each other and the world. (See Appendix A for Goals and Objectives)

1. Goal A: Provide Responsive Services

From a student at the Geneva School of Business Administration, Switzerland, who recently completed a 3 month practicum in Adult and Information Services: “I want to tell you that I had a wonderful - so useful and interesting - experience at OPL. I am very grateful to you and to your colleagues for giving me this opportunity (that I sometimes still cannot believe!). And I am very grateful that everything went well during my time there.

Thank you very much.”

Biblio_compliments: The following are comments that were sent in from patrons regarding OPL’s website and catalogue:

“Ever since I started using the new system I keep discovering new options and system flexibilities that I find are great.”

“Although I have no suggestions for improvement (I find the system is fantastic) I just thought Id share my compliments to the staff of the library who must have worked very long and hard to develop this great product.”

“My compliments to you and keep up the good work.”

“Every time I use your city-wide request system, I am reminded how a truly amalgamated city should work for all of us no matter where we live. No other part of the city of Ottawa has done it anywhere near as well as you have.”

“Great site! Much easier to navigate than previous site and way more features.”

“I just renewed my library card after letting it lapse for a year. The new web site is wonderful; easy to navigate and with many of the same features as the Amazon and Chapters web sites. Tax dollars well spent (for a change). I will continue to be an avid user!”

“This is an absolute beauty of a site! Stylish, helpful, intuitive, so easy to use .
Congratulations!”

Bookmobile: A patron said the following at the end of a query that she sent through Ask a Librarian: “Kudos to Library and Bookmobile staff for fantastic service. Every Friday is like Xmas for me.”

Homebound Services: A grateful Homebound Services user expresses their appreciation for the service: “I can't imagine how hard it must be to choose [books] for someone else...BUT I totally appreciate it. The nurses laugh at me as I sit waiting for Randy (Randy Olmstead, Driver) to come like its Christmas morning 12 times a year! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!”

Greenboro Branch: A customer of the Greenboro District Branch provided the following:

“I wish to thank you for all your help. However, because of illnesses I get in winter I think it best if I go to Elmvale instead of your library. Elmvale is one bus each way. But you are 2 buses each way. It would be impossible in snow storms. I hope you understand. You have one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen. My hat’s off to whoever designed it.”

Deniz Bokesoy (Librarian, Greenboro Branch) supplied the following anecdote about how OPL helps newcomers to Canada:“I want to share the story of one newcomer family I met through Homework Club: their two kids started coming to Homework Club, then they came to story time on Saturday, the father inquired about programs on Saturdays and decided to bring their baby to babytime. And yesterday he told me his wife started ESL conversation, all in Greenboro! Isn’t that great?

Main Library: Feedback received through Ask a Librarian (Main Branch): “Firstly, I would like to thank all the OPL staff. Since I became a user of this wonderful library, I have been borrowing several amazing dvds and books. Besides, I could always count on the gentleness of all you. Actually, OPL is my favourite place in this city and the most important support that I have been using in order to improve my English and to unveil this country.”

Sent to Brian Silcoff, Librarian, Main Branch: From May - Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO). “The presentation was really good, informative and something one would like to hear again and again. I have tried to narrate to my family with no success. Thank you so much for a job well done I hope we will have another chance to have you share with newcomers about the rich History of Canada.”

Please note some of the participants’ remarks: One woman said: "I really enjoyed the presentation. It was outstanding".
Another one said "I hope there will be this kind of history related presentations coming up in the future. It was excellent. I think the energy, enthusiasm and knowledge Brian has immediately reflected on the audience. Even with the language barrier they felt that this city is special after all. Now, personally "I like Ottawa more" thanks to him.”

Main Library – Adult & Information Services: The following was sent to Angela Bowen, Librarian, Adult & Information Services:”Thank you very much Ms Bowen.  I am very impressed with the library staff's responsiveness in general and in particular on issues concerned with the transition to a new online system. Your bosses should know what a terrific job you are doing, so I would appreciate your forwarding my comments to any and all managers who should know of your good work.  They themselves should be congratulated on what appear to be quite good management practices and treatment of their employees. Thanks to all.”

Main Library – Borrower Services: According to a patron, the Main Borrower Services employees ‘rock’. The patron was very appreciative and impressed that staff were able to find her special bookmark that was inadvertently left in a library book.

Orléans and Cumberland Branches: Des membres du personnel des succursales Cumberland et Orléans ont pris part au 4e Salon du livre jeunesse d’Orléans ''Mille visages, mille messages'' tenu à l’École secondaire catholique Garneau d’Orléans. Un kiosque a été aménagé pour promouvoir les services et collections de la BPO auprès de la jeunesse francophone. Lors de la Cérémonie d’ouverture de ce Salon, une plaque a été remise à Suzanne Delisle, coordonnatrice de la succursale Cumberland, pour remercier la BPO pour son implication et sa contribution à la communauté francophone d’Orléans. 

Photos prise lors de la remise de la plaque au Salon du livre jeunesse avec M. Bernard Roy, Directeur de l'éducation et secrétaire-trésorier du Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est.

2. Goal B: Develop Partnerships for Accessible and Efficient Service

Library Settlement Partnerships Day (LSP): LSP day was celebrated on October 22 at the Nepean Centrepointe Branch. Activities included a multicultural storytime, African drummers, testimonials from newcomer clients, a slide show on LSP highlighting LSP activities and a presentation of a painting to the City Librarian for the Beaverbrook Branch from a Chinese senior artist. This was a thank you for the support he and his wife have received through attending the library program. Greetings were delivered by Yves Saint-Germain, Director of Language, Information and Community Program Policy of Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Yasir Naqvi, MPP Ottawa Centre. Mr. Naqvi focused his presentation on the importance of the public library for his family as newcomers from Pakistan to Canada 20 years ago. LINC students toured the library branch and applied for library cards. Approximately 200 people attended the event which was organized by Tabitha Waithaka, Outreach Librarian and the LSP Working Group. The Working Group is composed of the settlement staff from the partner settlement agencies and OPL branch staff. It was a memorable event. Trustee Jim Bennett attended on behalf of the Board.

Assistive Technology Support Initiative Resource: Jane Venus, Manager, Children & Teen Services and Marcia Aronson, Manager, Diversity & Accessibility Services attended the launch of the Assistive Technology Support Initiative Resource. This initiative developed under the auspices of OCRI and various partners, provides a wonderful website on assistive technology for the school system. “Through an innovative combination of trained volunteers and online resources, the Assistive Technology Support Initiative (ATSI) aims to enhance the school-based support give to students as they begin to use assistive technologies, so they can reap the benefits of these tools…” The OPL webpage on specialized services has a link to these resources.

Book Club for Persons with Print Disabilities: A group of persons with print disabilities invited Marcia Aronson to speak with them about starting an additional book club for the blind. This group meets at the CNIB on Prince of Wales Drive.

Huntclub/Riverside Library Kiosk Service Pilot: The following comments were received from 3 patrons using the pilot kiosk service at the Hunt Club Riverside Community Centre via staff member Ron Brule: One patron hasn’t been to the library in years. He signed himself up and his 9 year old son. Staff showed him all of the features of the Kiosk and his account online so he knows how to renew, request, return, due dates, features on the website etc… He was delighted. He kept remarking to his son, “this is cool” when he checked out some items from the Kiosk and he turned around and shook the staff member’s hand in thanks.

Another patron said she is so happy this Kiosk is here especially since Alta Vista is closed right now. It’s so convenient to get her stuff.

The third patron told said she is so pleased the Kiosk is here because she sold her car and it’s difficult to get to Greenboro and requires taking two buses. She kept repeating how much she loved having this Kiosk here and that it is free as she looked through her holds and she literally ‘welcomed us’ here to this location at the community centre.

Library and Archives Canada: The City Librarian joined representatives from the library, history and archival sectors across the country in an invitational meeting with the Librarian and Archivist of Canada Daniel Caron and his senior management team to help LAC-BAC develop its vision and action plan for the next several years.

Building a Sustainable National Capital Region: The OPL management team joined other city managers at the Shenkman Centre for day-long forum on sustainability. This concept has been embraced by the City of Ottawa, City of Gatineau and the National Capital Commission and has a focus on sustainability, resiliency and livability. There are twelve goals to guide action and decision making. These are:

· Health and quality of life (Library related)

· Economic prosperity (library related)

· Culture and identity (Library related)

· Biodiversity and ecosystem health

· Governance and decision making (Library related)

· Climate change

· Energy

· Connectivity and mobility (Library related)

· Materials and solid waste

· Water and wastewater

We are working on linking them to the Board’s strategic plan and identifying related strategies in our 2011 Strategic Work Program.

3. Goal C: Develop our Places and Spaces

Self Check Out Receipt Option Enacted: In order to provide choice to users and to support OPL's greening strategy, the Ottawa Public Library implemented the ability for patrons to choose whether to receive a receipt with each transaction. Similar to a bank machine transaction, users are asked to choose if they would like a receipt at the beginning of each transaction.

Filtered Public Internet Access Improved: A second proxy server was provided to enhance the filtered public Internet access at the Ottawa Public library. This was in response to an increase in public complaints received over the summer regarding the speed of the filtered Internet service. The upgrade resulted in an immediate improvement in access speed. Digital Services will continue to monitor the situation to ensure that this resolution meets the needs of filtered Internet users on an ongoing basis.

Constance Bay Branch is Upgraded to Fiber: In October we finally learned that the Constance Bay branch of the OPL was to be upgraded to a fiber internet connection on November 4, 2010. This branch is the last branch to be connected to the library's fiber network, providing a stable secure connection for staff and public. This was a huge achievement and was made possible through the support of the city of Ottawa's Information Technology Services.

4. Goal E: Be an Accountable and Innovative Organization

Long Service Awards: On October 22, 2010 City Operations held a Long Service Awards Ceremony. OPL employees with 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service were acknowledged and celebrated at this lovely event. Barbara Clubb, Monique Désormeaux and Elaine Condos were on hand to present staff with pins and gifts. Councillor Gord Hunter represented the Mayor and Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager, City Operations was also in attendance.

OPL receiving long service awards included:

25 years Beth Beckley, Claire Benoit, Suzanne Delisle, Jacques Leboeuf, Sylvie Lussier, Clara Ouzas, Diana Pepall and Susan Perry

30 years Margaret (Peggy) Artelle, Bernie Belanger, Marilyn Joseph, Joan Keith, Michael Murphy, Sylvie Paquette, Denis Saunders and Susan Townley

35 years Barbara James Richardson and Paul Schwebke

40 years Rosemary Wilkins (posthumously)

Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership: On November 5, 2010, Elaine Condos and Tony Westenbroek graduated from the Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership program. The program is offered by the City of Ottawa through the Schulich Executive Education Centre, York University. Intake is limited to 30 managers and program managers who are nominated by their Director and who must commit to 15 days of coursework over two years to successfully complete the program. Congratulations to Elaine and Tony.

Canada/Ontario/Ottawa Library Month: There was a great deal of activity throughout the city as we celebrated the month with many of our partners. One of the events which was part of Teen Author Week was Shout it Out at the Library on Friday October 22^nd featuring author Lesley Livingston (Darklight) and local teen bands Full Tipped Sleeve and Apocalynstic. The City Librarian and Trustee Bennett were in attendance.

Honouring Volunteers: On Sunday October 24^th there was a memorial ceremony in Carp honouring Doug McNab long time registrar of the Diefenbooker. A beautiful bronze statue of a grandfather reading to a grand-daughter was unveiled just outside the entrance to the Carp branch. The City Librarian was in attendance. There is space on the statue to honour other library volunteers in the future.

Honouring an OPL Employee: A honey locust tree and bronze plaque in memory of Miriam van Husen have been installed in Woodroffe Park, thanks to the generous donations of friends, colleagues, numerous Carlingwood  Library patrons, and the support of the OPL. Miriam, who worked for many years as an adult librarian at Carlingwood, passed away in March 2010.

The tree and the black granite marker and plaque were installed through the City of Ottawa’s  Commemorative Tree Program. The park is located on Lockhart Avenue, near Woodroffe, not far from Carlingwood Branch.

5. Friends of the Ottawa Public Library Association

Mission Accomplished! In recognition of the association’s 25^th anniversary, the Friends created a scholarship for students of the Information Studies program at the University of Ottawa. The fund was started with the help of a generous donation from Mr. Ernest Coté (former OPL Trustee and co-founder of FOPLA and the FOPLA trust fund) and a matching contribution from the university. FOPLA aimed to add to the fund incrementally until it became self-sustainable but, thanks to a Christmas card from Lori Nash to Ernest Coté last December, we were able to reach that goal much sooner than anyone had anticipated! The Friends, the OPL Foundation, Mr. Coté, and the University of Ottawa contributed enough for the fund to reach $100 000 so scholarships for the future librarians from the National Capital Region can be awarded from the interest earned from the fund.

Bookstore Workshop: Friends’ bookstore volunteers gathered at the Greenboro branch for a one-day workshop last month. The session featured presentations about the Friends’ website, the forthcoming Central Archives and Library Materials building, and the OPL’s discard and acquisition process. Bookstore managers and volunteers mingled, shared their successes, and brainstormed ways to make their local bookstores more effective.

October Celebrations: Two Friends bookstores celebrated 15 year anniversaries on October 23^rd. Encore, of the Orléans branch, welcomed guests to their book sale while the library hosted a public party for all ages. And Second Editions, of the Nepean Centrepointe branch, held a special draw for Friends’ bookstore gift vouchers. Community members enjoyed the festivities at both events. The anniversary celebrations were a great way to recognise our community gems and pay tribute to Canadian Library month.

6. Ottawa Public Library Foundation

Board Development: Ads placed with Ottawa Citizen, Charity Village, and AFP for Volunteer Position: Treasurer; no responses to date

Fundraising: 535 donors since January 1^st, 2010; 712 donations. Total revenues to date $717,506 which includes $300,000 bequest from Kowcz estate

2010 Literary Evening: Two additional tables have been added to accommodate waiting list orders. The Programme will go to the printer on November 5^th. Silent auction items include jewelry

Donor Cultivation Event for Francophone Community: Meeting with Maxime Cordier of the French Embassy to be held November/December, to discuss event details. Event will be held in February 2011.

OPLF Web Presence: OPL has given a feature box to the Foundation on the Library homepage, to promote library giving.

7. Responses to Motions and Enquiries:

October 18 OPLB Meeting: With regards to document #4: Services to Seniors Position Statement; Trustee Bergeron questioned why the Canadian (CLA) and American Library Associations (ALA) have started to use the term "older adult". The following response was provided to Trustee Bergeron following the October Board meeting:

The term “older adults” is replacing “seniors” in the literature. “Seniors” generally refers to people 65 and older and clumps everyone together whereas “older adult” recognizes various generations of those over 55 or 60 depending on the organization. Neither the ALA nor the CLA guidelines provide the reasons behind changing the service guidelines from “senior” to “older adult”. Both organizations had previous guidelines using the term “seniors”. The library community is embracing the term “older adult” and can be seen in such documents as the ALA’s Keys to engaging Older Adults @ Your library (2010). One of the key players on the Subcommittee on Older Adults was Allan Kleiman (well known conference presenter on services for older adults) who defines “seniors spaces” at his library (Old Bridge P.L., N.J.) “Specially designated destination area in the library for three generations of older adults features …”

The City’s presentation to Community and Protective Services Committee on June 29, 2010 reported on the Older Adult plan – Scope and Workplan. “On October 14, 2009, Council approved the following motion from Community and Protective Services Committee, originally submitted by the Senior’s Advisory Committee, to refresh the City of Ottawa’s Senior’s Agenda in order to create an Older Adult Plan for the City of Ottawa moving forward:” and “…consider the first recommendation from the Senior’s Advisory Committee to undertake a formal initiative to develop a comprehensive Ottawa Older Adult Plan to include…” Both the Seniors Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee have been consulted. The City of Mississauga did an Older Adult plan in 2008.

8. Other: Municipal elections were held throughout Ontario on October 25, 2010. In Ottawa there were nine new councilors elected; 13 incumbent councilors reelected and a new mayor Jim Watson elected. The following councillors on the OPL board were returned: Jan Harder, Marianne Wilkinson, Shad Qadri and Diane Holmes. Congratulatory notes were sent to all elected councilors on behalf of the Chair and Board. OPL will be participating in the orientation of new councillors. The councillors on the OPL board for the 2011-2014 term will be appointed in December; the citizen members will be appointed in January. Until both councillor and citizen board members have been appointed (or re-appointed) the current board members (both councillor and citizen) remain on the board.

9. Upcoming Events of Interest

· Next OPL Board Meeting Dec. 13/10, 6 p.m., City Hall

· Swearing in of Council (2010-2014) December 1, 2010

· Ruth E. Dickinson 30^th Anniversary November 7/10

· OPL Board Open House/Information Session Nov.18/10, 6:30 p.m., City Hall

· Library Trustee Recruitment Application Deadline November 26

· Ottawa Storytelling Festival November 18 – 21

· OPL Foundation’s Literary Evening Nov.29/10, 6:00 p.m., National Gallery

Submitted by:

Barbara Clubb

City Librarian and CEO

The Ottawa Public Library Strategic Work Program is based on the Library’s, mission, goals and objectives approved by the Board of Trustees. These are:

OPL Mission Statement: Building a strong Ottawa community by supporting literacy and life-long learning, fostering inspiration and enjoyment and connecting people to each other and the world.

OPL Mega End Statement: The Ottawa Public Library exists to that the people of Ottawa enrich their personal, professional and civic lives through equal access to information, resources and ideas in a trusted, bilingual, physical and virtual setting that serves as community gathering space and in a sustainable, cost efficient and optimal manner.

Goal A Provide Responsive Services

A1 Focus on our future leaders: engage and support key groups who will influence Ottawa’s future success: youth, newcomers and entrepreneurs and small business, seniors and job seekers

A2 Catch up: build our print and electronic collections to address the gap between growing demand and current supply

A3 Be virtual: enhance technology-based access and services

A4 Good reads and the right information: support life-long learning, literacy and reading for all

A5 Stay ‘open’ for our citizens: provide more and better hours of service

Goal B Develop partnerships for accessible and efficient service

B1 Add value: leverage public investment by working with other city departments and partners on key initiatives

B2 Be a window to the City: extend public access to City information and services through the Library’s 33 branches, mobile services and website

Goal C Develop our places and spaces

C1 Care for what we have: implement upgrades and improvements in existing branches

C2 Build community – fill the ‘holes’: develop new branches to support growth and address service gaps

C3 Reduce the barriers: enhance accessibility to our services through physical and technology upgrades

C4 Go green: Demonstrate environmental leadership in all future facility development

Goal D Build a New Central Library

D1 Transform our future and preserve our past: Develop a new Central Library as a civic and cultural focal point, which supports the City’s goals of being inclusive, creative, innovative, proud and liveable

Goal E Be an Accountable and Innovative Organization

E1 Develop our people: ensure effective staff and volunteer development, including the Board, the Friends and the Foundation

E2 Use technology wisely: Utilize the power of technology to extend our services, make connections with our citizens, and realize ongoing efficiencies

E3 Measure what matters: implement a new approach to performance measurement that informs our continuous improvement and more accurately reflects the value-added roles the Library is playing

E4 Tell our story: build increased awareness of what the Library has to offer and report on progress to the public and taxpayers