Southern Ontario Library Service

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Haldimand – focusing on staff training as they want to get all 6 branches accredited.
Kawartha Lakes: participating in accreditation – one branch in not accessible, looking at solutions.
Prince Edward – all 6 branches have just successfully been accredited but still the staff are going through the “no” answers to see what changes can be made.
Leeds & 1000 Islands – last year, received accreditation – this year, were able to use words from the Minister’s speech as part of letter re: SOLS budget cuts.
TC #4 – there was a discussion about using both the OPLG and the new ARUPLO guidelines to evaluate service.  The two sets of guidelines complement each other and both are good tools for assessing service and planning.
Huntsville – will undertake accreditation.
Grand Valley – was successfully re-accredited.

Lincoln – Advocacy Committee prepared a presentation on the good things happening at the library for Council; want to get Council thinking about improving library service by building a new library.
Springwater – used postcard to lobby Minster for SOLS funding.
Bruce County – CEO Marzio Appoloni was invited to speak to the Rural Caucus on the value and importance of public libraries in rural Ontario.

Fort Erie – Finalist for Minister’s Award for Innovation for their KidsQuest Program which is an after-school program.
Kawartha Lakes: Friends of Lindsay Library received Friends of the Year from Random House – hoping this will encourage other groups within the system.

Lincoln – Board has added an education piece to every board meeting which takes about 10-15 minutes. It is using SOLS’s Trustee Tips and additional readings.
Brighton – have been using some of the sample policies on the SOLS website to help them to develop a book of policies.
Haliburton – has developed a document for new board members and a trustee manual.  The board is working toward using a consent agenda and preparing the 1^st Annual report for the public.
Ramara – Board has completed 10 modules of the Trustee Development Program.
Orillia – has a board development program and participates on the OLA’s Educational Institute workshops offered via conference call.
Pickering – working on policy governance model, established community linkage committee and developed a plan.
Trustee Council # 7 – The members would like to add a trustee training session in the afternoon of the next Spring meeting (2006) but have not chosen a specific subject yet. TBA.

Kawartha Lakes: closing library between Dec 24 and Jan 2 to save staff costs.
St. Catharines – Needs 6% increase to maintain current level of service.
Ottawa: consultations starting in November.
Merrickville: Budget deficit due to pay equity settlement.
Rideau Lakes: lack of adequate local financial support. Concern that when CAP funding stops the library will face a major budget shortfall.
Ramara – used results from patron survey to  develop budget and started budget process earlier.
Meaford – has made a desperate plea for more funds for the library; use is up, needs are great; “more people reading more books”; community wants more hours open.
Madawaska Valley ( Barry’s Bay) – Budget passed with an increase in capital expenditures.

Cornwall - 110^th anniversary celebration – staff in period dress.
Halton Hills - Friends group brought in Robert Bateman to speak and raise money for the library. Mr. Bateman also donated a print for auction.
Milton – Sesquicentennial year in Milton. Interestingly, the library was established 3 years before the town. Library has created a poster entitled “150 reasons to celebrate”.
Niagara-on-the-lake – launched new website during OPLW.
Ottawa: Friends’ Group Annual Literary Gala on Nov 28.
Bracebridge – preparing for 100 year anniversary in 2008, book on the history of the town will be one of the projects.
Pickering:  OPLW celebrations included: presentation to Council on “state of the library”, author’s reading, produced a CD ROM called “Libraries build Communities”, published a report to the community, open house with Lieutenant Governor Bartleman – celebrating linkage with Chippewas of Georgina Island, library had its 1 millionth patron! – photo op!!
Smith-Ennismore: OPLW – author’s reading, book sales, raise a reader program, reading buddies, adult book club.
Owen Sound & North Grey – celebrating 150 years of library service; successful gathering, visited by Andrew Carnegie.
Hanover – 100^th anniversary of library in 2006.
L.E. Shore – 10^th anniversary of new library building in December; special day of celebrations planned, including a parade.

Haldimand – Has established reciprocal borrowing privileges with Hamilton and Norfolk and are investigating agreements with Wainfleet and West Lincoln.
Marmora – increased hours from 24 hrs/week to 30 hrs/week over summer and saw a 50% increase in circulation.
Quinte West – at new main library, have moved to self-checkout terminals.
Smith-Ennismore: circulation has increased since amalgamation.
Meaford – circulation up 47% since 1999; ILLO also up.
Arnprior -Circulation has skyrocketed.
Bonnechere Union– circulation went up – over 4,000 regular card holders and Interlibrary loan  is just booming.
Madawaska  Valley (Barry’s Bay ) – Great use of their children’s section.
Whitewater  Region – circulation is up in all three branches: Cobden, Beachburg and Forester Falls.

Cornwall: Genealogical Society collection now housed in library.
King Twp: local history society collection added to library, history of King digitization project by students.
Ottawa: Started an initiative to collect books in branches to send to Katrina victims – overwhelming response – New Orleans not ready to accept donations  - local storage issues at this end as a result.
Penetanguishene – working to develop reference collection and expand to electronic resources after an study of the collection.
Whitewater Region – Transferring books from branch to branch to offer a better selection of titles to all three areas (Cobden, Beachburg and Forester Falls.

Deseronto – has Job Information Service in the library.
Kawartha Lakes: food for fines amnesty was not as successful as hoped.
King Twp: online survey for community needs assessment.
Quinte West – has HRDC Job Search in new main library.

St. Catharines – There are no more urban development spaces available which results in a lack of development charges.
Milton – community foresees growth in population of up to 150,000.

Milton – planned renovations will not happen, instead the town bought the building next to the library which was a childcare centre. The library will move its children, teen and Young Adult areas to that building. Halton Hills – Acton branch has accessibility problem.
Marmora- Deloro branch closed temporarily due to a mold/water problem.
Cornwall: Accessibility issues – special markings for visually impaired on stairs – problem – “heritage” granite steps.
Merrickville – Requirement for accessibility improvements presents difficulties as building is historically protected.  Building was given to town on condition that it remains a library. Looking at Trillium grant.
Rideau Lakes A major concern of the library is the maintenance of the buildings that  are owned by municipality who does not want to assume maintenance responsibility.
Penetanguishene – need to address the issue of parking and plan to finish basement of library using development funds.
Bonnechere Union – desperate for space – looking at an expansion in another area of the municipal building – neighbors are moving out, so seeking to take advantage of the available space.
Whitewater  Region - Because of the distance between the three sites, there is no plan to close any of the branches.

Niagara Falls - opened new community centre branch at the end of September. They had previously closed a branch. Spent $21M and is a shared facility with YMCA, Parks & Rec. Big Brother and Big Sister. Library is approximately 7900 sq. ft.
Burlington – Relocated a branch from a strip mall to a new community centre. Went from 6,000 to10, 000 sq. ft. Also reopened the central library. Library went from 47,000 sq. ft. to 63,000 sq. ft. Fundraising was a hard sell in the community. Felt the building should be publicly funded.
Brantford – will be adding a third floor to their building which will require the restructuring of library; partners in this addition are Mohawk College and Nipissing University. The community will also need a new branch soon.
Clarington – planning for new branch in Newcastle area, 9-10,000 sf, currently doing focus groups, key informant interviews, and site consultations.
Welland – As host of the TC#2 meeting, staff provided a tour of their new facility. They are experiencing some problems like lighting. It is hard to see the stacks when it is dark outside.
Halton Hills – Need new building since the current one was at capacity 15 years ago. Facility study was conducted by Jim Morgenstern. 2 councilors support the library and work well with the Board.
Haldimand – Just finished a new building and renovated another branch.
Belleville – expecting to be in their new library by the end of March.  The construction is funded with municipal-provincial-federal funds.  The amenities, including the provision of new or the use of current furnishings, are funded by community fundraising.
Quinte West –new main library is in municipal complex and still working out some of the responsibility areas but now looking at expanding the branch library as more people are using that facility for pick-up of materials.
North Grenville: The library has been looking for a larger space, in Kemptville for long time. It has been given, by the municipality, the old courthouse building. The new building will replace the Kemptville Branch and eventually South Gower and Oxford Mills will most likely be closed. With local development fees and hydro money this facility will be renovated and redesigned to accommodate a larger library and the branches of North Grenville and Oxford Mills will be closed.
Oshawa: Opening new branch, delayed to March ’06.
Ottawa: Board is considering an interesting unsolicited proposal from a developer to build a library cum apartment complex in Le Breton Flats. Board to assess whether space will suit library uses.
Bracebridge – key component of new strategic plan was expansion of building.
New Tecumseth – considering a new branch in Tottenham and may build with the arena.  The branch in Alliston also needs improvements.
Orillia – board is doing advocacy work related to the need for a new library.
Pickering: Planning for new library for 2007.
Whitby: Opened new library in May ’05 – Shore Tilby architects – lots of good public response, work is ongoing on exterior – should be completed for end of Nov.  Also, City directed the closure of the Rossland branch – strong public reaction with pickets and petitions.  Resulted in reduction of hours from 49 to 28. New Brooklin Branch is a capital project which will be a combined Library/Community Centre, targeted for completion in July 2007. It will be located at the site of the existing library with a proposed 14,000 sq.ft. branch library and a 25,000 sq.ft. community centre [subject to change].
Huron County – new branch being planned in Howick Twp, attached to arena.
Waterloo PL – planning has begun for the first District Branch on the west side of the city, to open late 2007; 21,000 sq.ft.
Arnprior - Focusing on their expansion to the basement.  Do not yet know what will end up in the basement, could be the adult and children’s fiction or the non-fiction.
Madawaska Valley  (Barry’s Bay) installed a lift in the library.
Pembroke - Renovations are finally coming to an end after three floods complicated their timelines.
Renfrew - The new shelving and furniture now gives an impression of more spaciousness. They are looking at an expansion which would add another 440 square feet to the library. Council has approved $ 35,000 capital money for the extension of the library  + $6,000 matching fund for the Trillium grant and another $5,000 came from the Friends. The library also got a donation of a fireplace for the library.

In TC #6 – various models for Friends groups – some are at the branch level and some at system level.  Those undertaking projects, such as in Belleville, tend to be more active than those without a major project.
Kawartha Lakes: Lindsay Friends give the library $4,000 – genealogy, large print, a mural.
Rideau Lakes: Organizing Friends’ groups is not a viable option as villages are too small and scattered.
Haliburton – friends of library are strong advocates and run a lunch and learn program at a local restaurant and established the writer in residence program.
Muskoka Lakes – friends of library contribute $5,000 - $10,000 a year, buy Gillar nominated books, pay for furniture and painting.  Library sends document to council listing what the Friends have contributed.
Penetanguishene – have a strong friends groups and partnership with French language association who contribute to funding for French collection. Automation is partly funded by the friends.
Ramara –90% of all  fundraising is done by friends.
Hunstvillle – friends manage a used books store in the library and raise $2,000 - $3,000 per month.
North Perth – Friends reinventing themselves; there was a hiatus following a successful building project; recent black tie affair raised $2,700.
Grand Valley – Friends have successfully functioned for a year now, following many false starts – first successful campaign was collecting Canadian Tire money from the community; bought the library a DVD/VCR; Gala evening raised $2,700.
Laurentian Hills - Would like to start a Friends of the library group but there does not seem to be great interest among the population for starting such a group.

General discussion that lobbying 2006 electoral candidates and current councils  is  a key to better funding.
Cornwall - Looking at the possibility of opening a coffee shop.
North Grenville - Major renovation and refit  of new facility will require a fundraising campaign.
Rideau Lakes - Will be looking for funding opportunities. Received money from Child Re-investment Fund to operate book club and buy kids books for Elgin Branch.
Gravenhurst – fund raising committee hosted bridge luncheon and the library is considering a direct mail compaign.
L.E. Shore – annual Dinner Dance, celebrating 10^th anniversary, raised nearly $10,000 – funds will be used to buy additional shelving for the library.
Owen Sound & North Grey – book sale is their biggest event, aiming for $20,000.
Arnprior – This was the last year of their “Swing for books” golf tournament. This activity has managed to raise around $60,000 over the years. Looking for an alternative activity to the golf tournament that could bring in the same amount of money. Arnprior P.L. has also received a generous bequest from Colonel Gaumond. Getting good support from the Service Clubs.
Bonnechere Union – Managed to raise $200.00 by allowing the County organization Literacy Plus (a group consisting mostly of retired teachers) to do some tutoring in the library.  The organization has its own office but also uses the library for one-on-one tutoring.
Head, Clara & Maria - A local musician has offered his services for fundraising purposes for the library. Since it was very hard to plan an official fundraising event (the local musician has a very busy schedule), they have decided for this year with the local musician that the event, a potluck on Nov. 17/05, would not serve as a fundraising event but just as a nice get together—good for public relations.
Laurentian Hills – very good year for bequests – three bequests this year alone, including one from an executor’s estate– bequest that came from a patron who obviously appreciated its importance. An auctioneer has moved into the area and has offered his services to act as an auctioneer for a fundraising activity for the library on the library’s own terms.
Madawaska Valley (Barry’s Bay) - a lot of different fundraising efforts: Canada Day BBQ and Trivia Night;  a local artist offered her services for designing this year’s Christmas cards – 6 for $ 5.00; the margin of profit is about 50%.
Whitewater Region - Mary Cook’s visit – excellent promotional marketing. Thinking of other fundraising events like a silent auction, Christmas sales, etc.

Deseronto – Have had an “under-18” non-voting library board member for the past year.  Three others are now interested in filling this position.
North Grenville -The Municipality's new CAO has met the library board in September to discuss issues of relocation and budget. Sue has been invited to sit on the Senior Management Committee of the Municipality and the library is being included in the latest municipal strategic plan.
Ramara – use a consent agenda.
Huntville – a visually impaired member of the Board keeps board informed about issues for the disabled.
Orillia -  board is ¾ of the way through its own annual plan, are working on orientation material, and have a Board development program.

St. Catharines – They are at the end of their transitional grants from the province (was $6M per year).
Tweed – like some other libraries, did not get an HRDC grant for a summer student this year (too many applications) – however, the local Kiwanis club stepped in to cover the cost.  Did get funding for a CAP Youth worker this year.
Prince Edward –Wellington Women’s Institute received Trillium funding to purchase tables, chairs, equipment for new meeting room at Wellington Branch.
Deseronto – Participated in a community-based Rick Hansen fundraising – half the money raised went to the Rick Hansen Foundation and the other half for accessibility at the library (new entrance, fix washroom).
West Perth – Perth County Information Network (WPerth, Perth East & Stratford) received a Trillium grant for the Public Library on Wheels project – a bookmobile serving rural, under-served areas in Perth County; most success with Mennonite mothers and preschoolers near Milverton; and service in village of Dublin; the 3 libraries will fund it once the grant runs out.
Hanover – used Trillium grant to establish a teen space in the library; so popular it already needs to be expanded.
L.E. Shore – a grant from Trillium Foundation is being used to offer art classes to children and families; coordinator has been hired.
Arnprior is thinking of applying for a Trillium grant for shelving.
Head, Clara & Maria – Applied for a federal grant for their partnership  project (see under partnership) under the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Program (Federal government)  Received a grant from the federal government of $6,094 to help buy a camcorder, external drives, software and tapes. They will also apply for a Trillium grant for the March deadline.
Laurentian Hills did not put in for a Trillium grant this time around., but will eventually put in for one  to facilitate the library’s access to the handicapped – ex. doors for the handicapped.
Renfrew received a Trillium grant this year to buy some of their new shelving and furniture.
Pembroke received a CAP grant – hired two students to input data in the library’s database. Has applied for a Trillium grant for a microfilm reader and a printer.
Whitewater Region– Applied for an automation Trillium grant for the November deadline. Applied for a CAP grant to get two students to give training session and help seniors use the Internet.

Bracebridge – is considering opening on Sunday and reducing hours other days of the week.
Gravenhurst – now closed on Sunday.
North Kawartha – using guidelines for strategic planning – branch is not accessible and no WC.

TC #5 – discussion of late bussing for school children – there is Ministry of Education funding for late buses.
Tweed – Library had a booth at the local farmer’s market both as a fundraiser (sold used books) and as a promotion for the library (had brochures, pamphlets).
Bracebridge –had a booth at the fall fair.

TC #5 – Board recruitment discussion:
Pickering – 24 applications for 9 positions, only 2 returned.
Stouffville – asked Council to consider demographics of community, resulted in some changes, only 2 board members were returned.
North Kawartha – need better geographic representation.
Smith-Ennismore – developed board criteria, recommended 7 member board, not 9, specific request that there be a variety of professions represented – currently 4 are school teachers.
Whitby – board has discussed but not implemented job profile and gaps identification.
Kawartha Lakes – ad in paper, 4 of 9 are councilors.
Clarington – approached Council to have a “Board fair” for the whole city’s agencies, held at arena – very successful.  Developed criteria, presented to Council – in response to uneven geographic representation.
TC # 8 - How to get more people to attend meetings – Lobbying for next elections.
Kawartha Lakes: thanked the other TC members for assistance in responding to issue around a disruptive board member – developed a protocol for Trustee Board members, based on sample documents from other libraries.
North Kawartha: gained benefits for part-time employees as part of township study on wages, increased operating a strain on budget.
Oshawa: Lost some board trustees and wondering what other libraries are doing about filling vacancies.
Rideau Lakes: Discussion about uniformity of roadside  signage for libraries – sources.
Stouffville: Compliance of councilor trustees – conflicting meetings, so they are not attending library board meetings.

St. Catharines - residents facing 10% property tax increase.
Belleville – In light of new, much larger library, in discussion with council over expectations for expanded operating costs.
TC # 8 - Discussion around trends in municipalities to change the PLA to allow user pays to finance the downloading. Need to lobby on part of library boards.
New Tecumseth – the CEO attends all council meetings and writes a report once a month for council.
Ramara – present a good new, multi-media presentation to council.
Huntsville – municipal council rep is responsible for a presentation to board on issues from council that will affect the library.
L.E. Shore – library board has worked with Municipality to ensure that the library is duly considered in Town’s strategic plan; one of the issues to be resolved is to clarify the reporting linkages and responsibilities between the Board, the CEO, and Town’s CAO, Council, and municipal departments; the board looking for the right language to describe the reporting relationships in a way that complies with PLA and meets the needs of the municipality. 
Arnprior – receives great support form the Municipal Council.
Madawaska Valley (Barry’s Bay) - great support for capital expenditures from the Municipal Council.

Escarpment - Suzanne Culp invited libraries to participate in the Municipal Cultural Planning Partners forums. These follow the Municipal Cultural Planning sessions to which libraries were invited late in the process.
TC # 8 - Ian Hunter invited people to volunteer for CLA in mid June. OLBA will be putting an emphasis on professional development during this 3^rd mandate.  The focus will be board evaluation and recruitment. Will be trying week night  6pm. teleconferences to coincide with scheduled TC meeting, if they wanted to use as the training piece.
TC #7 -The OLBA rep was Margaret Wicklum (usually OLBA’s rep for Trustee Council 8). There was a switch of meetings between her and Ian Hunter. About one and a half years ago, the Ontario government had establish an office in the library dedicated to seniors, thinking it could serve  as a senior’s one stop portal for government services. After a while they realized that the seniors were not really using the service for its official purpose but more as a place to meet and chat. So they decided to invest more energy in the development of their website instead of having offices in libraries.
The CNIB is closing its Belleville office so the print impaired will now have to access the Toronto office either by mail or through the Web.

Madawaska Valley (Barry’s Bay) – Christmas card sale during OPLW.  A local artist has offered her services to design this year’s Christmas cards – 6 for $ 5.00; the margin of profit is about 50%.  Author reading: Merilyn Simonds author of  the best-seller The Convict  Lover : A True Story.

L.E. Shore is developing a Homework Club in partnership with Beaver Valley Outreach for students in grades 7-9; tutors will be available 3 times/week.
West Perth – partnered with Health Unit for its drive to walk program; library lent pedometers.
The libraries in Waterloo Region again collaborated successfully for One Book One Community and Word on the Street initiatives.
Head, Clara &  Maria  Noticing a lack of documentation on the history of the township, Pam Charron and Naomi Balla-Boudreau, residents of Head, Clara and Maria, created a partnership with the library and Nipissing University to create audio CDs which would serve to complete the albums that were  made for the Centennial. Since they are a very small library, and their librarian works only a few hours per week, they could not afford to help in a significant way. So the patron joined  forces with Nipissing University and asked for a grant under the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Program (Federal government) to interview older residents of the municipality and ask them to talk about their parents’ and grandparents’ lives. Following these interviews, they would produce numerous CDs, one for each of the persons interviewed, one for the library, and one for Nipissing University. Nipissing University would be responsible for the editing and the producing of the CDs but the library would hold the copyright. Nipissing University would then input the information and create a searchable database on the different topics (for ex. logging at the beginning of the Century) The project must be completed by the end of March. See grants.

TC # 8 - Settlements are costing a lot for libraries whose budgets are not increasing to cover the shortfall.
Merrickville: PE has been done. Library budget will face a $10,00 deficit  as a result.
Rideau Lakes: To be done in 2006.
Muskoka Lakes – have been included in municipality’s salary scales.
New Tecumseth – has completed pay equity review.

Brantford – OPLW activities were targeted at late teens and early university segment of their population.
Kingston-Frontenac – Have received Early Years & Head Start funding but now trying to do more with teen programs & space for teens.
Leeds & 1000 Islands – have been running a Teen Book Club (using the Parent & Teen in one meeting idea).
Rideau Lakes: Successful partnership with schools to hold Red Maple and Silver Birch reading programmes.
Gravenhurst – has hired a program co-ordinator originally funded from fundraising but now part of budget.
Bracebridge – has a writer in residence.
Haliburton – have increased budget to allow for staff salaries for programming.
Muskoka Lakes – have developed a new drop-in program for seniors and an after-school program.
Hanover – summer reading program had more than 135 children signed up.
Owen Sound & North Grey – the library’s writer-in-residence was recently highlighted by local paper; she meets regularly with people who see themselves as writers, including young people; also does readings and adult programming.
Meaford – now offering children’s programs 4 days/week – reaching newcomers; class visits on Fridays very popular, library has been overwhelmed with response.
Arnprior’s children’s programming serves as an excellent public relations tool.
Laurentian Hills – visit by Mary Cook.|
Pembroke — After a missed opportunity last year, Dudley The Dragon came back to the Pembroke P.L. with great success. Planning a visit by Merilyn Simonds, author of the best-seller The Convict  Lover : A True Story.
Oshawa - Added new staff – public relations – in response to issues at south branch, created interesting programming (psychic fair, workshop on anime) increased traffic.
Smith-Ennismore: added a staff position for children’s programming – 640 children registered for TD summer reading.
Stouffville - New CEO started in May – community relations is part of her job description – increased programming, ideas such as: Meet the CEO, Family of the Year (good users), food for fines in OPLW.

Huron County – it has taken 25 years to close 5 branches; there was considerable public outcry, but now a workable model.
Waterloo PL – has innovative approach to serving Homeless; they will be issued a library card, which will be kept at library; they can ‘borrow’ circulating items from the collection, but rather than taking the books home, they’ll be kept at the library in their name, at a special desk; free to come back for what they’re reading as often as they wish, to read in the library; program developed in conjunction with an agency that serves the Homeless.

Muskoka Lakes -  have hired a fulltime library assistant  and completed the writing of job descriptions.  Will hold a Christmas social for staff.
Ramara -  added a library page position as part of the solution to staff working along.
Huntsville – working on succession planning for CEO.
L.E. Shore – got budget approval for 2 new positions in 2005, full-time library assistant and part-time clerk.
West Grey – added children’s position this year; not asking for much in new budget.
Arnprior says it owes its great success to its fantastic staff.
Bonnechere Union – hired an Office Manager.
Madawaska Valley – hired a part-time person to replace the children’s librarian. The new person will be more broad-based, so will not focus as much of her time strictly to children’s services.
Pembroke – Three members of the Pembroke Public Library will be going to the Superconference this year as Presenters on services to seniors and marketing.

Burlington – Has resumed strategic planning now that building projects are complete. Library is struggling with population growth in the north and east parts of the city.
Brantford – CEO is mapping measures with the goals stated in the library’s strategic plan and reporting to library board whether they are on track.
Kawartha Lakes - finishing the strategic plan.
Kingston-Frontenac – Have done a service review for library space requirements over the next 20 years including re-development of at least one branch at Calvin Park.
North Kawartha - current board undertaking strat planning to hand over to new board, doing needs assessment using local facilitator, reviewing Guidelines to identify gaps.
Ottawa - Board had a retreat where Ken Haycock was invited to speak about Strategic Planning.
Trustee Council 4  - described their experiences with strategic planning and reported on their current plans.  Orillia, Huntsville, Ramara, Haliburton, Bracebridge, Penetanguishene have either 3 or 5 year plans.
Hanover – board has spent time articulating values and vision as part of planning process.
Owen Sound & North Grey – has done strategic planning session with SOLS facilitator, based on in-house and website surveys; library came across as a vital community agency.
Meaford – working on strategic plan.
Pembroke has promised to bring copies of a document from Kingston, explaining a step by step plan for the development of a strategic plan.
Renfrew is now revising the 1^st draft of their final report towards their strategic plan. Once the strategic plan is adopted it will be posted on their website.

Burlington – Moving to SIRSI-Dynix; ILS will be hosted in U.S. and therefore subject to Patriot Act which has raised some concerns.
St. Catharines – Moving to SIRSI-Dynix.
Prince Edward – have moved to Unicorn, as part of a consortium with Lennox & Addington, North Grenville, Leeds & 1000 Islands and Rideau Lakes.  Also moving their web to a portal hosted by the community-based HQ Net (who have also been given space in the library technical services area).
Gravenhurst – partner in a consortium with Huntsville, Muskoka Lakes and Bracebridge to share Horizon system.  Began with $20,000 Trillium funding. Expect partnership to save 50% on costs.
Penetanguishene – will join the Simcoe County consortium to upgrade their system to Horizon.
Ramara -  offers wireless service in library.
West Perth – has really benefited from belonging to PCIN – has access to technical expertise and an overall technology plan that keeps infrastructure current, manages security issues, etc.
Waterloo PL – have installed wireless technology; has opened e-branch; working towards self-checkout technology.
Bruce County – all branches are now live on Unicorn; use/circulation is up significantly.
West Grey – finally completed automation – Neustadt last branch to be brought on.
Bonnechere Union – Use dial-up, rather than high speed. Would appreciate if people would not send photographs or graphics because they take about 15 minutes to download.
Laurentian Hills is up and running with a satellite, only alternative available  to high speed.
Madawaska (Barry’s Bay) – Changed the server this year and added a few new computers this year. Will add more computers next year because they will not need to change the server.
Renfrew – All staff now have access to computers. They have 3 brand new computers and so are all the 7 public computers. They have 4 online computers and 5 circulation computers, a grand total of 19.
Whitewater Region (Cobden, Beachburg & Forester Falls)- only one dial-up.

Brantford – Penny McKenzie will be presenting at OLA on the role of the trustee.
Haldimand – A volunteer appreciation luncheon was held during OPLW for 15-20 of the library’s volunteers who contribute over 500 hours in total.
TC # 8 - Call for volunteers for CLA - contact Ian Hunter at juneian@sympatico.ca
Bonnechere  Union – seeking volunteers.
Madawaska Valley (Barry’s Bay) – Volunteer Appreciation Evening for their 35 volunteers.

Not discussed at this meeting.

Note – with respect to SOLS budget cuts, Brighton had their patrons sign a petition – more than 600 names and had the municipal council pay a resolution protesting the cuts.

• Trustee Council 4 discussed how the letters they wrote to MPPs  had no effect and often resulted in responses that informed them about funding for schools;
• Some municipal councils made a resolution via AMO that framed the issue as downloading;
• Trustees expressed frustration and did not know what else could be done.