award

Caledon, ON – Caledon Public Library (CPL) has won the 2025 Ontario Public Library Service Award for its project Caledon Connections: Leveraging Partnerships to Support Community.
 
The Minister’s Award for Innovation honours CPL’s partnership with Caledon Community Services (CCS), launched in 2024, which embeds CCS employment and community support staff within CPL’s Albion Bolton, Caledon East, and Southfields Village Branches. By offering services such as job search support, training, and settlement assistance directly in library spaces, the partnership removes barriers to access for residents across Caledon’s large and transit-limited geography.
 
“This award affirms the Library’s role as a trusted community hub,” said Colleen Lipp, CEO and Chief Librarian of Caledon Public Library. “Winning at the provincial level recognizes the real difference this partnership is making for residents and reinforces the power of libraries to connect people with the support they need, close to home.” 

“Libraries are far more than places to borrow books; they are vital community connectors,” said Geraldine Aguiar, Caledon Community Services’ Executive Director. “Working alongside Caledon Public Library has allowed us to expand our reach and better support residents across Caledon.” 

Since its launch, hundreds of residents have accessed CCS services through the Library, with many securing employment or being connected to additional community supports. 

The Minister’s Award for Innovation, awarded by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact in a community and are of continued value. The award is presented annually at the Ontario Library Association Annual Conference in January. 

For more information about Caledon Public Library’s programs and services, visit caledon.library.on.ca. 

Caledon, ON – Caledon Public Library (CPL) was recently shortlisted for the Minister’s Award for Innovation at the 2022 Ontario Public Library Service Awards for CPL’s Community Connections project.

The Minister’s Award for Innovation, given by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact in a community and are of continued value to public libraries.

“Although we did not win, we are pleased that our unique and growing partnerships with Bethell Hospice and Caledon Community Services, to extend the reach of digital services and help to bridge the digital divide, have been recognized.” said Colleen Lipp, CEO and Chief Librarian of Caledon Public Library. “The Community Connections initiative supports the Caledon community by helping them to connect with loved ones, attend virtual events, gather information, alleviate isolation and providing residents with access to critical services and resources during challenging times.”

The Library pre-loaded digital content onto tablets that Bethell Hospice provided in each of their 10 private resident rooms. CPL also created Community Connection Kits, which include a Chromebook and Internet hotspot, and partnered with Caledon Community Services to ensure those with a demonstrable need had access to them. Within the Community Connections project, local organizations reached beyond their walls to share information and resources with library users and the Caledon community with CPL’s Community Corner.

“This is all part of how Caledon Public Library empowers community connections, sparks innovation and creativity, and energizes the transfer of knowledge. We will have more exciting news to share once our Margaret Dunn Valleywood Branch renovation has been completed. The community will be invited to use our new recording studio, maker tools, collaboration spaces and more,” added Lipp. “You’ll definitely want to see how we continue to grow and innovate in order to respond to community needs.”