Creating the Ontario Digital Library

1. Creating the Ontario Digital Library Sketching the Scenario

2. What’s behind all this? • Rapidly changing technological, social & political environment • Digital divide • Shrinking budgets • Increased user demand & diversity • Knowledge-creation process is too slow & bogged down

3. In the midst of this chaotic, stressful, challenging & opportunistic environment, a vision has begun to emerge…

4. …of The Ontario Digital Library As an Ontario citizen, whether I’m in Tiny Town, Ontario or Toronto, the Ontario Digital Library is there for me – with the advice & resources I need to grow & develop throughout my life.

5. An Ontario Digital Library Advice Is about Access Content Collaboration Equity Service Synergy

6. Its Purpose: what will it do? • Provide broader access to content & services • Leverage purchasing power & maximize shared use of existing services & resources • Enable a society of learners • Harness economies of scale • Speak with one voice • Create organized digital space • Place libraries as the catalyst in transforming access to information & creating knowledge

7. Its Principles: how will it work? With: • Equitable access • Shared decision-making • Shared governance model • Shared accountability • Shared funding • A focus on citizens • A recognition of stakeholders’ diversity • A balance of inclusivity & universality • An underlying assumption of trust

8. Driving Forces: Why will stakeholders support it? • What’s in it for us? • What’s in it for our funders? • What’s in it for Ontario citizens?

9. What’s in it for us? • Positive broad-based approach for: • delivering value-add services & vast array of resources to an increasingly demanding, diverse clientele • reducing the digital divide in our communities • going beyond our institutional & geographic boundaries to extend our operations, resources & services • helping our staff develop competencies required for this new environment • increasing our ROI & purchasing power • positioning ourselves in this new & evolving marketplace

10. Something that makes a difference Progressive model that contributes to: economic development effective use of tax dollars increasing accountability creating a society of learners Competitive advantage that: empowers Ontario citizens with knowledge, information & enhanced thinking skills they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive & complex global environment develops a population with, & a competitive, skilled workforce & business environment What’s in it for our funders?

11. What’s in it for Ontario citizens? • A One Citizen Approach • No longer ‘handed off’ from one system to another • Enabled to learn & participate in one continuum of library services all the way thru their lives • A one taxpayer perspective

12. Key Issues: what will make this work? • Common understanding of & commitment to ODL vision, goals & principles • Strategies for meeting different mandates & different needs • a workable multi-faceted, equitable model • Standards • Quick wins

13. Create the “Catalyst Team” to design the concept & process Develop the case & scenarios Clearly define the problems & possible solutions Leverage work & accomplishments already completed Document impact of collaborative approaches Build momentum among constituents Find process money Communicate, listen & connect What needs to happen next?

14. Remember our primary purpose: “To bring together human beings and recorded knowledge in as fruitful a relationship as is humanly possible.” Jesse Shera

15. To remain what it is, the library must change.....if it does not change, it will not remain what it is. Status quo is not an option • W. David Penniman • AT&T Bell Labs, 1989 Back