Ontario Public Library Guidelines

a developmental tool for small, medium and county libraries

A planning tool

• designed to be easily integrated into a library’s regular planning process
• developed by the Ontario public library community to help improve the quality of public library service across the province

The Guidelines Process

• Step 1 Internal assessment
• Step 2 Development of plan
• Step 3 Implementation of plan
• Step 4 Peer audit
• Step 5 Accreditation

Peer Accreditation

Peer accreditation is a way for the public library community to recognize the achievements of its members.

Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary.

If your library is interested in participating in the accreditation process, please contact the Guidelines Council. The Council will make arrangements for a peer audit team to be formed. The audit team will contact the library to arrange an appropriate date and time to meet. The library will be invoiced for an audit fee.

If successful, the library will receive a certificate of accreditation from the Guidelines Council. Accreditation will be valid for five years.

Please contact the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council to:

• obtain a copy of the Guidelines
• request an accreditation audit
• put your name forward as an auditor
• obtain further information