Public libraries across Ontario play a critical role in enabling all Ontarians to get online and participate in the digital world and knowledge economy. Until now, the outcomes for Ontario residents and communities have not been measured.
The session will highlight the results from a 2 year research study, demonstrate the essential role of public libraries in advancing digital inclusion and digital literacy and describe next steps of how your library can participate.
Funded by the Government of Ontario, Toronto Public Library and seven partner Ontario libraries commissioned a research institution, Nordicity to develop an Ontario based technology services assessment toolkit for libraries to measure the outputs and outcomes achieved by technology services in libraries. The toolkit enables the libraries to:
- Identify priorities for technology services based on evidence
- Benchmark technology service levels with similar sized libraries
- Measure the outputs and outcomes achieved by technology services
- Advocate for technology services that support provincial and municipal priorities
Hear from First Nations, small, medium and large public libraries about their experience using the toolkit and sign up at the session to join partner libraries in its collective capacity to measure the outcomes of technology access in public libraries for Ontario communities!
