Local libraries write the book on innovation
Library awards given to local institutions

TORONTO - Three area libraries all came away winners at the 2007 Public Library Awards Dinner on Thursday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The event was part of the annual Ontario Library Association's super conference.
The Orillia Public Library was nominated for the Minister's Award in the large-library category for its innovative Lifescapes program. It was competing with libraries from Toronto, Windsor and Waterloo.
"This is the only program like it in Canada," said Jayne Turvey, volunteer and community services coordinator for the Orillia library.
Just beginning its third year, the program shows people the process of writing memoirs. It was modeled on a similar program in Nevada.
"Our program fits the community perfectly," said Turvey.
"I'm on my third group now, and everybody is just so pumped for this program."

Minister's Award Jayne Turvey, left, of the Orillia Public Library, Culture Minister Caroline Dicocco, Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop, Barbara Lewis of the Rama Mnjikaning First Nations Public Library, and Janet Banfield of the Ramara Public Library celebrate Thursday night at the Ontario Library Association conference in Toronto.

Ramara won the same award in the small-library category for the website www.ourramara.com.
Libraries from Clearview and Schreiber were also nominated.
"It's a community portal that offers a website and a database for all community organizations, businesses, schools, churches - everything that you could imagine," said Ramara library CEO Janet Banfield. "We found that there was a gap in the community for information needs."
The Rama Mnjikaning First Nation Public Library won the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence for library service because of its unique way of celebrating First Nations Public Library Week.
"We had programs for everyone, from our littlest daycare students up to our school," said Barbara Lewis, Rama Mnjikaning library coordinator.
"We brought in authors and an illustrator. We brought them down to the seniors. They shared stories with the seniors; the seniors shared stories with them. It was a multi-gen-erational, multicultural event that lasted a week."
The Mnjikaning library will host the provincial launch of First Nations Library Week on Feb. 12. Lt.-Gov. James Bartleman is expected to attend.
Each library received its award from Minister of Culture Caroline DiCocco.

"I think the success of the libraries, and the fact that they have been able to meet the challenges of the digital age and become more and more relevant to the people that they serve, has seen an increase in the people who use libraries," the minister said.
"That speaks to their ability to consistently transform (in) this new age of learning. I'm really proud of the work they do."
Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop was on hand to support all three libraries, and was pleased at the results.
"I was invited by all three library boards to take part in the event (Thursday)," Dunlop said. "I can tell you it's fantastic to think the Orillia Public Library, the Ramara Public Library and the Mnjikaning First Nations Public Library have all received major awards. This is really an outstanding achievement for our area."