ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
July 31, 2015
___________________________________
CEO Suzanne Campbell
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
Orillia Public Library 2015 Interim Report
The Orillia Public Library is pleased to submit this report summarizing the highlights and
activity of the first six months of 2015.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
REVENUE:
Non-resident membership and fines revenue are 10-12 percent
lower than projected for the first six months of the year. Some inhouse revenues are seeing increases including room rental and fax
revenue.
EXPENDITURE:
Expenditures are at an appropriate level for the mid-point of the
year.
GRANTS:
$3,888.00 grant from the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport
towards new Technology services or projects.
Up to a $2,500.00 grant in support of Champlain 400 year
commemoration from L’Assemblee de la Francophonie de
L’Ontario.
Executive Summary
Highlights:
 The Library continued to partner with community organizations including
Georgian College, Lakehead University, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic School Board,
Simcoe County School Board, LGBTQ-Simcoe County Pride, Youth
Opportunities Group, Welcome Center Immigrant Services, Information Orillia,
City of Orillia Parks, Recreation and Culture, Orillia Community Gardens, Sharing
Place, Downtown Orillia Management Board, Orillia Police Services, Sunshine
Ukulele Network, Orillia Youth Center, Orillia Museum of Art and History,
Stephen Leacock Home, Ontario Early Years Center, Orillia Community Action
Network(O-CAN), Couchiching Jubilee House, Sunshine Ukulele Network.
 Technology literacy training is a core service provided by library staff; sessions are
held in the Community Technology Lab. Introduction to iPads and android tablets
have seen a surge in demand. They are always fully booked with a waiting list.
 Children’s Services continues to offer strong programming with 269 programs
offered promoting literacy and community engagement both in the Library and out
in the community. Attendance was strong with 6340 parents and children
attending the programs.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
 A pilot program has been established for service in the Teen Scene area. At the
request of the BET (Board of Extraordinary Teens) we have established Teen only
hours for the area and Youth only use of the computers in the area making the area
safer and more welcoming for all Youth. The results will be evaluated in the fall
of 2015.
 Local History room with important documents now properly stored and displayed
has public access available four hours per week.
 Orillia Sports History Doors Open event brought over 500 people through the
Library to discover and learn about people and sport in Orillia over the years.
 Early years programming continues to be an in demand core service, Children’s
staff introduce and foster the core five learning skills in the Early Learning
Programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
 Average number of library visits is 900 per day; the library continues to be a center
for the community to visit, a hub where people enjoy making use of the many
services the Library offers.
 Wireless use has increased by 126% in 2013 and has continued to be in demand
with a further 57% increase in 2014, and 73% increase in the first half of 2015.
 SOLS (Southern Ontario Library Service) has confirmed that the core suite of eresources will no longer be funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture
and Sport. Databases in this suite include Ancestry Library Edition and Career
Cruising as well e-books and e-audio.
Customer Service: A welcoming community space
 The Community has embraced the space with 900 people visiting the Library daily
and a total of 140,517 people visiting the library to date in 2015.
 The study rooms see high use by high school students, college students, university
students and community members looking for quiet spaces to work. The study
rooms have had 502 bookings this year.
 The Library program rooms have been used 337 times by the community and the
City of Orillia for events and meetings in 2015.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Customer Service:
community
Creating
2015 INTERIM REPORT
lifelong
relationships
with
our
 Summer Reading Club and March Break are the Children’s department’s big
opportunities to connect with the city’s children and youth. Our staff created a
vibrant setting in March for a Superhero March Break and saw more than 1,000
kids come through our programs. The TD Summer Reading Club’s theme is Play;
registration was full before school was out. Our goals for the summer are to reach
new members who have not used us before and to maintain reading levels and
interest in our Library throughout the summer. Summer reading clubs are an
essential piece in ensuring summer learning loss does not affect children’s reading
skills. We plan to achieve these goals with incentives for reading and attending
programs. We have connected with a local school to share information regarding
reading assessments before and after the program to note the difference our
Library can make with the summer program as far as reading retention. New
Summer Reading Club software was purchased allowing for full integration with
our ILS (catalogue) saving staff time on data inputting and library membership
verification. The new software offers children and youth the option of creating
their own avatar, making it fun and exciting to report their summer reading
online, and making it easier for Library staff to track their summer reading and
use of the Library.
 The Children’s department set a
goal to reach out to the community
settings in 2015. The objective is to
find and serve new members by
meeting them where they are, and at
the same time, make our community
partnerships into more meaningful
relationships through increased
interaction. Delivering our services
beyond the Library building creates,
renews and maintains our role as an
integral community organization.
To this end, we connected with
524% more people outside the
building than last year including
children in daycares, classrooms,
and our new “Pop-Up Storytime”
that has delivered literacy programs
to families at the city’s parks, trails
and shopping malls. During this
mobilization we have maintained
our in-house service with traditional
early literacy programs and
reference help. A happy spin-off of
our outreach initiative are the new
faces we are seeing in our building,
driving our membership, reference
and in-house program statistics up
this first half of 2015.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
 Our early learning programming is a key component to how young children learn
to read in the City of Orillia, and we are proud to be a driving force that helps
parents and caregivers understand how importance literacy is for young
children! The program focuses on five key skills that are accessible to all parents
and caregivers within our community. Within our programming we place an
emphasis on these skills to give parents and caregivers a greater understanding of
why early literacy is so important for young children, and what they can do at
home to promote and foster a love of reading. The skills that we promote within
our programming are singing, playing, talking, reading and writing. These five
skills provide the foundation for young children aged birth to five to have a
lifelong love a reading and for future success in academic pursuits.
 Lakehead University has been a valuable part of our Library service this year. The
Education students again contributed to our Circle of Readers tutoring program.
This is a high-demand service, with the Bachelor of Education students providing
tutoring in reading for 27 elementary age children on a weekly basis. The
Education students also helped Library staff update the Battle of the Books
program. This reading-encouragement competition gives local junior and
intermediate students a place to flex their literary muscles. This year author
Kelley Armstrong was a special guest, via Skype, at the tournament of six teams
in May. The winner this year was the Homeschool Team with Couchiching
Heights a close second.
 In February we designated the teen space as a
teen-only environment as a pilot project to
welcome teens to use the Library. Teens
responded positively to a change in the Teen
Scene space at the Library. All four teen
computers used only by customers 18 and
younger and the space itself is for teens only
after 2 pm each day. We surveyed 48 teen users
to assess their attitude to the OPL and how they
are using us and what changes they would like
to see. The space has been set up to serve as a
home-away-from-home with games, activities, and new nooks and tables for
reading and collaborating. Many indicated they use the space to hang-out and do
homework and did not like adults using the teen computers for safety and other
reasons. A review of the changes will be completed at the end of the summer.
 In February Library customers were invited to enjoy a “Blind Date with a Book”.
Library staff chose their favourite books and wrote a “lovelorn” ad for each title
and taped the ads on books whose identities were concealed behind brown paper.
We made 60 love connections! Customers were asked to fill out a bookmark
ballot for a lunch for two, generously donated by Marcels Restaurant. We
received many positive comments on the book “dates”, including the following:
“I had a lot of “dates” and this one very different. Quirky and funny, enjoyed!”
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
This program introduced Library members to items in our collection in a fun and
interesting way, highlighting books that might be missed in the shelves.
 The “Orillia’s Big Read” selection was launched Saturday, June 20th. The title
chosen by the Big Read Committee was “The Martian” by Andy Weir. The book
was revealed with a special short promotional video prepared by the Big Read
Committee and featuring author Andy Weir.
 The Library participated in very successful City sponsored Doors Open event
showcasing Orillia Sports History on Saturday June 20. The Library’s
Community Services Coordinator, along with assistance from sports historian
Dave Town, compiled forty five displays highlighting Orillia athletes over the
years. The Orillia Museum of Art and History, Orillia Heritage Group, Carousel
Collectables, and Sunshine City Collectibles loaned us vintage sports equipment
and photographs. More than 500 people attended the event.
 Adult Services partnered with Manticore Books to bring former OPP Chief
Superintendent and Quantico trained profiler Kate Lines to the Library in April.
She spoke about her experiences from her new book “Crime Seen: From Patrol
Cop to Profiler”. There were ninety eight people in attendance.
 Our award winning Lifescapes memoir writing group held a book launch in June.
The compiled anthology of stories was entitled “Looking Back”.
Customer service: Optimize and customize library services to our
user groups
 Our Technology Lab has become a transformative place in the Library for many
customers with our in-house technology classes. The overarching goal of the
technology training is to enrich our customer’s communication and investigation
tools through technological literacy. Providing a safe and relaxed environment is
critical to achieving successful outcomes. There had been a surge in attendance
for iPad training and increased demand in training on use of all tablets. Training
on use of Android tablets will begin in the fall. Feedback shows that our
customers appreciate the effort we have undertaken in these areas: “This is a
wonderful service. I hope it continues and changes as needs arise. Thanks so
much!” Another said: “I would recommend this class for the new beginner as
well as the novice to refresh their knowledge. Excellent class, thank you.” As a
result of the training our members have become users of our online resources,
our public computers, and our Wi-Fi. They have reported more fulfilling
relationships with family members as a result of their online savviness, and feel
more confident engaging with friends, family, institutions and businesses online.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
 Sarah Csekey, Acting Director of Children’s and Youth Services, presented at the
first Global Conference on Holistic Early Learning Conference at Lakehead
University. Her topic, Access to Early Literacy at the OPL: Active Inclusion
introduced the role of the Library in a healthy child's development and explained
the role our organization has in our community as an inclusive environment and
highlighted the Library’s commitment to enriching family health and literacy in a
way that encourages and supports people.
 Amy Lambertsen, Early Literacy Technician, researched and developed a Sensory
Story Time for Lions Oval Public School; special education support staff from
four classrooms bring their students to this energetic program. The program
provides children on the Autism Spectrum many opportunities for communication
through movement, highly-specialized choices for patterning and consistency in
the execution of the program and literacy. This is a new initiative for the Library
allowing for the skills that are developed to be adapted and used in all Early
Literacy programs resulting in an increased inclusive environment for all children.
 The Local History Room includes material of significant local importance,
including historical pictures and art work, and the Stephen Leacock Collection.
This room allows for proper display and storage of important local history items
and provides a safe place for the documents, books, and other items to be
examined by the public. With no new additions to staff for this service, we have
had to limit actual staffing of this room to four hours per week. We have had
requests to increase our hours and are looking for ways to increase the hours we
are open. Forty-six grade six students from Orchard Park Public School worked
on a local history project in the local history room and required a number of
visits to complete the project.
 The Seed Library continues to be a popular service and is offered with the
support of Orillia Community Gardens.
 The Library Board has struck a committee to begin work on the strategic plan. A
user satisfaction study was completed in 2013 and this information is being used
to initiate the process. Staff members representing all departments of the Library
form part of the steering committee. The Board plans to have a Strategic Plan in
place for the fall of 2015.
 Children’s non-fiction DVDs moved from their previous location (with the other
DVDs on the main floor) to the Children’s department where they were interfiled
with Children’s non-fiction books. This change created more free space on the
crowded DVD shelves. It also made it easier for children to find materials on a
given subject without having to leave Children’s area.
 Records for all e-books (40,000) and e-audiobooks (7,000) have been uploaded
to our public access catalogue and are therefore much easier for users to access.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
 SOLS (Southern Ontario Library Service) has confirmed that the core suite of eresources will no longer be funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture
and Sport. Databases in this suite include Ancestry Library Edition and Career
Cruising as well e-books and e-audio. Overdrive, the e-book consortium, has
committed to maintaining the SOLS negotiated prices for 2016. We are still
determining what the increase in costing might be for the databases now covered
by the agreement and the impact this will have on the 2016 budget.
 Social media continues to attract a growing audience to the Orillia Public Library.
Our Facebook and Twitter pages are attracting more people all the time –1094 on
Facebook and 1324 on Twitter – with dynamic interactions. Steady inclines on
our followers in this new platform as well. We actively monitor our social media
presence and enjoy noticing outcomes of our interactions with customers.
Customer Service: How Library services and programs measure up
 Reference questions answered by Children’s Services staff have increased by 39%
in 2013 and also increased in 2014 with a 13% increase, and with a small increase
of 2% in the first half of 2015.
 The Library experienced large
increases in the circulation of
library materials in both 2012
(305,730) and 2013 (343,392)
and a decrease in 2014
(297,862). In the first half of
2015 circulation is (148,931).
At this pace there will be a small
levelling off of circulation of
materials, circulation has also
been affected by the decrease in
the number of members joining
from the Townships.
 Programming continues as a strong core service offering community members
from babies and their parents to older adults looking to continue a healthy
lifestyle of learning and participating in a wide and varied selection of activities to
attend. There were 246 adult programs offered in 2015.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
Customer Service: Investigate, develop and maintain partnerships
in the community
 Donations in support of the children’s and teen summer reading programs were
received from the Lions Club and Lake Country Rotary Club. The Children’s and
Youth Services Department met with both the Lake Country Rotary Club and the
Orillia Lions Club to receive the generous donations for our summer reading
programming. Without their generous support the Library is able to offer summer
programming incentives to encourage and stimulate children to read throughout
the summer months. Also thank you to the Friends of the Orillia Public Library
for helping us to complete the donation process.
 Children’s Services continue to partner with Georgian College in the ECE and
CYW programs and with the Education Faculty at Lakehead University to
provide practicum placements for students in both institutions. Placement
opportunities were also provided to students from Patrick Fogarty and Twin
Lakes. These placements take considerable staff time and are a commitment to
the community and the Youth of Orillia.
 Sarah Csekey, Acting Director of Children’s and Youth Services, presented at
the first Global Conference on Holistic Early Learning at Lakehead University.
Her topic, Access to Early Literacy at the OPL: Active Inclusion introduced the
role of the library in a healthy child's development and explained the role our
organization has in our community as an inclusive environment. Information
was also shared on the Library’s commitment to enriching family health and
literacy in a way that encourages and supports people. As a result of the
Library’s contribution to this conference, the acting Director of Children’s and
Youth Services has been asked to present information on Early Literacy and
family support to Lakehead Education students in the fall term, in addition a plan
with Lakehead has been established to create a community alliance to support
and promote family literacy.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
 Children’s Services staff will be working with Georgian College’s Centre for
Social Entrepreneurship Community Project Initiative (CPI) program working
toward the outcome of extending our family literacy programs to include a
prenatal component. The CPI projects are entrepreneurial in nature and work
toward creative and sustainable solutions.
 Children’s Services developed a partnership with Monsignor Lee Elementary
School to encourage their kindergarten students to read more through a points
based program that is connected to our summer reading program. The results
from the participation of these children in the TD Summer Reader’s Club will be
used to help assess the impact of supported reading through the summer on the
participants reading levels.
 The Library’s partnership with the Welcome Centre Immigrant Services is
continuing to be successful. The group meets weekly at the Library for English
Conversation Circle. The Library staff helps advertise and promote the program
as well as introducing them to Library services.
 The Library partnered with the Diabetes Association and the Alzheimer Society
of Simcoe County for informative programs offered in January and February.
 Promotion of literacy and community engagement at a number of community
events: Arts for Peace, National Youth Week, Doors Open, Garfield Dunlop’s
Seniors Day, Safe Kids Week.
Customer Service: Attract, develop and maintain a trained and
educated workforce and leadership that reflect our values and ethics
 Most staff has taken advantage of the professional development provided by the
Orillia Public Library. Some of these training sessions have covered genealogy,
teen services, data base training as well as training on work related program
support software. Staff participated in teen training by Howard Bloom from the
Child and Youth program at Georgian College. He trained staff on dealing with
teens and how to identify different barriers and challenges with that age group.
ORILLIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
2015 INTERIM REPORT
 Susan Dance, Director of Technical Services, attended monthly meetings of
Orillia’s Community Action Network. O-CAN is a newly-created network of 50
Orillia-area organizations. O-CAN meetings focus on creating connections
between community organizations and developing strategies to improve
community safety and well-being for vulnerable persons. As a safe, accessible
and barrier-free downtown facility, the Orillia Public Library is a vital
community resource for those in need, for caregivers and for social service
organizations. O-CAN is one important way for OPL to stay informed about
community resources and to network with service providers, including the OPP.
 Many staff took advantage of the training and networking opportunities offered
by the Ontario Library Association at their Super Conference in Toronto.
 Staff attended work specific workshops and training including Infant Mental
Health Training opportunity offered through the Hospital for Sick Children,
providing information on all aspects of prenatal and infant health; a day long
workshop “Public Service and Understanding Mental Health” presented by the
Canadian Mental Health Association; Move it Forward: Social Innovation
Conference hosted by Georgian College.
 Susan Dance presented a Southern Ontario Library Service webinar “Public
safety: creating a safe and secure library for patrons and staff” to the public
library community in May.
Customer Service: Safety and Security
 Orillia OPP officers continue to provide foot patrols of the Library on a regular
basis. Officers have discussed general safety and security concerns with library
staff, and have consulted on many occasions about specific issues. Officers have
provided contact information to library staff. This concerted effort by police to
address library concerns continues to make the Library a noticeably safer and
more secure public building and work environment. Our thanks to the officers
and to the detachment for their terrific efforts.
 OPL works hard to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all users, and
for staff. At times, despite our best efforts, it becomes necessary to ask particular
visitors to leave the library. During the first six months of 2015 library staff
issued six notices of suspension and three letters of trespass to members of the
public. Police were involved in most of these situations.
 As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and security, training was provided
to library staff with a focus on dealing with people with mental illness. Many
staff members received in-house training, and two library managers attended a
two-day Mental Health First Aid course.