Join other Ontario Public Libraries in using Bridge.
Call for Participation
Toronto Public Library invites your library to participate in the Bridge Technology Services Assessment Toolkit (Bridge) beta group. With your participation, we will be able to better understand the outcomes achieved by technology services in public libraries and increase libraries' collective capacity to deliver responsive and transformative technology services to all Ontarians and communities.
Benefits for your library
- Increase libraries' capacity and skill to collect and analyze data
- Allows libraries to determine technologies that have greater impact to inform resource allocation and/or demonstrate need for more investment
- Provides opportunities for cross-comparison and discussion with Ontario Public Libraries
- Ensure responsiveness to communities
- Develop staff trainings based on identified needs
Sign Up for Bridge
As part of the first phase of the province-wide rollout, 50 libraries of varying sizes and geographies will be selected to participate.
Successful participants of the beta group will be notified in the Fall of 2018. A waitlist will be created to accommodate a broader rollout in 2019. Participation is limited to Ontario Public Libraries at this time.
Sign up for BridgeInformation Sessions
Information sessions were held in October. A slide deck will be available soon.
Key Findings from the Bridge Pilot Study
Eight participating libraries from across Ontario participated in the Bridge pilot study from July to October, 2017. Key findings from the study demonstrated the value of technology services that participating libraries provide to the public.
Survey Respondents who used technology at the library:
Primary Outcomes - Digital Inclusion
- 56% said public libraries were their only access to technology services
- 46% said public libraries were their only access to Internet
Primary Outcomes - Digital Literacy
- 44% of customers who used technology services were introduced to new technology
- 84% of respondents reported increased digital comfort after using one or more services
Secondary Outcomes – Community, Social and Civic Engagement
- 81% of respondents reported an increased level of community engagement
- 81% of respondents reported an increased level of social engagement
- 34% of respondents had used the service(s) to access online government resources
Secondary Outcomes – Creativity and Innovation
- 41% of respondents used the technology service(s) to make a creative product
Secondary Outcomes – Workforce Development
- 64% of respondents used the technology service(s) for educational activities
- 45% of respondents used the technology(s) to develop employable skills
- 36% of respondents used the technology services to develop job search skills
Secondary Outcomes – Entrepreneurship & Business Development
- 26% of customers used the technology service(s) to start, manage or grow their business
To learn more about the study and findings: Final Report on the Development and Pilot Implementation of the Bridge Technology Services Assessment Toolkit.