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Publications

Sourcebooks                                                                                              français

The Sourcebook for small public libraries is :

  • a how-to manual which covers a variety of topics pertinent to the successful operation of a small public library.
  • a ready source of practical information on current library practice
  • published as a series of small booklets
  • available in English and French

The Sourcebook is full of practical samples on most topics. For example there are sample by-laws, policies, book-keeping forms, forms to aid in the gathering of statistics, etc.

The Sourcebook is divided into four sections and within each section the following titles have been published.
 

Note: The Sourcebook for Small Public Libraries, originally published by the Ontario Library Service, are no longer available in print form.  Some of the Sourcebooks have now been posted on this Web site. These may require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the .pdf files.


Administration

Administration 1: The Public Library Board. Out of print   
Administration 2: Organization of the Board.
Out of print 
Administration 3:
 Directors' Liability  Out of print.
These topics are covered in the newer publication entitled "Library Board Orientation Kit" that is also posted on the Web site.

Administration 4:  Personnel  The Sourcebook was written in 1991.  Many facets of human resource work have changed.  The publication is no longer available.

Administration 5: Planning for Library Service   and  SAMPLES
Explains the benefits of planning in order to ensure that the community's needs are being met It summarizes the steps in the planning process and the information which should appear in a planning document. It is accompanied by a companion document Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning for Public Libraries in Northern Ontario: a how-to manual.

Administration 6: Marketing  and   SAMPLES
Highlights ways in which the library can promote its materials, services and programmes through development of a marketing plan.

Administration 7: Statistics      
Explains what statistics should be collected and how to collect them. Describes a variety of uses for statistical information.  Please note that the requirements of the Annual Survey of Public Libraries, as described on pages 4 and 5 of the Sourcebook, have changed.  For the latest information on the Annual Survey, please visit the Ministry of Culture. Libraries Unit web page for the Ontario Public Library Statistics.

Administration 8: Volunteers  and SAMPLES
Discusses what volunteers in the public library should do, and what volunteers should not do. A sample policy, application form, contract, job description and handbook are provided.

Administration 9: The Role of the CEO and SAMPLES
Looks at appointing the CEO, and the CEO's relationship to the board, municipal government and the community.

Administration 10: Trillium Public Library Policy Manual
Information contained in the Trillium Public Library Policy Manual has now been posted in the Sample Policies (By Topic) section of the Web site.

Collection Development and Management

Collection Development and Management 1: Policy and Planning and SAMPLES 1-3 - SAMPLE 4
Provides the sample Trillium Public Library Collection Policy as the highlight of this booklet. A policy such as this guides the overall development of the library's collection.

Collection Development and Management 2: Selection, Acquisitions and Weeding 
Explains the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of selecting, acquiring and weeding material for the library's collection.  Most of this publication, originally published in 1993, is now out of date and is no longer available.  Only the weeding section of this Sourcebook has been posted here.

Collection Development and Management 3: The Catalogue
Shows the reader how to interpret and use cataloguing information.

Collection Development and Management 4: Organizing the Book Collection
Presents the merits of organizing materials by format, subject and age.

Collection Development and Management 5: Circulation
Provides an overview of both manual and automated circulation control systems. This publication, originally published in 1993, is now out of date and is no longer available.

Collection Development and Management 6: Local History and Genealogy  and  SAMPLES
Discusses collection guidelines, organization and public access to the collection. Information regarding organizations which may be helpful to anyone undertaking genealogical research is included.

Services

Services 1: Reference and Information Service and SAMPLES
considers the ethics and policy in reference service and defines the reference process including the reference interview and the search for information.

Services 2: Readers' Advisory Service and SAMPLES
discusses the process of matching books to readers and readers with books. Personal contact, signage and labelling and the impact of technology are considered.

Services 3: Children's Services and SAMPLES
summarizes library services to children and considers potential audience, facilities, collection and services.

Services 4: Programming and SAMPLES - SAMPLE 3 - SAMPLE 4
covers planning and executing a programme, programmes for specific age groups, resources and evaluation.

Finance

Due to changes in the area of finance, the three Sourcebooks entitled Budgeting, Financial Record-Keeping and Funding are no longer available.  For information on funding development, check this section of the Web site.
 

 
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