Library Impact Ontario

Together, libraries make the difference. Library Impact Ontario is a coalition of libraries working together for a common goal; leveraging data to ensure responsive, adaptable and thriving libraries for everyone. Libraries make an impact, we help demonstrate it!
Library Impact Ontario (formerly known as the Bridge Project) combines data analytics, relevant resources and advocacy to help demonstrate the impact library digital services have on communities. We aim to equip and empower libraries with insight and evidence to advance library sustainability and growth.
Developed by Toronto Public Library, a trusted industry leader in digital equity and inclusion, Library Impact Ontario helps libraries:
- Gain valuable insights into the impact library technology is having on the well-being, development and confidence of library customers.
- Make data-informed decisions about the technology services libraries provide.
- Connect with similar libraries to identify gaps and leverage standardized comparable data.
- Build confidence in library staff, regardless of their skill level.
Your library makes an impact. We help you demonstrate it.
Find out more
More about us
The Library Impact Ontario 2023 registration is currently CLOSED, registration re-opens January 2024. Library Impact Ontario consists of three main services. Subscribe to one or all three, depending on your library’s needs.
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Bridge
Bridge is a practical and automated solution for library data. It is a first of its kind innovative outcome measurement platform that empowers libraries by collecting, assessing and visualizing technology data through data dashboards, surveys and reports.
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Edge
A management tool designed to help library leaders assess internal leadership, organizational management, and programs and services to identify service gaps and address community needs.
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Data Literacy, Learning and Support
If you’re looking for peer learning, support, or simply to network with other libraries, we offer a variety of data literacy opportunities to ensure your success.
Have questions about Library Impact Ontario?
We have answers!
- What is Library Impact Ontario?
- Library Impact Ontario is a suite of free services, including measurement toolkits, educational workshops and collective advocacy support that help libraries across Ontario make informed decisions about the services they provide, gain direct insights into community needs, and maximize evidence-based advocacy for financial security.
- Why should I register?
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- Our services help you collect, analyze and report the positive impact your technology is having on the well-being, development and confidence of your library customers.
- Our services help you understand the relationship between your library and the services you offer.
- Our services highlight the vital role libraries play within the communities they serve.
- Our services empower you to make informed decisions about the technology services you provide, fostering continuous improvement of these services and advancing digital equity.
- Our services extend your reach and connect you to ‘like' libraries to identify gaps and leverage data to increase your service offerings by tapping into collective comparable data.
- The more libraries that register, the better our data. The better the data, the more we're able to demonstrate the collective impact we are having.
- Our services provide maximum benefits to your library with minimal effort and time through advanced automated features and support that do most of the work for you.
- It's free! It's flexible & supportive. It's authoritative and accessible.
- I'm not that knowledgeable about data. Is this complicated?
- Library Impact Ontario is straightforward and practical. These services are developed by libraries for libraries. Regardless if you're a small library system or a large one, a data novice or a full deep-dive data expert, Library Impact Ontario can help you help your customers. Customize our services to get what's most relevant to you. And our workshops and tools can help build data confidence in your library staff, regardless of their expertise.
- I registered for the Bridge Project. Is this different?
- No. Our services were previously referred to as the Bridge Project, but it was a confusing name, as Bridge Toolkit is a service within the project. The name Library Impact Ontario better describes the full suite of services available to libraries - and the collective impact their services have on the communities they serve.
- Who's behind Library Impact Ontario?
- Library Ontario is developed by Toronto Public Library, a trusted library leader in digital equity and inclusion.
- I have more questions. Who should I contact?
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Connect with:
Sepideh Mckensy
Senior Services Specialist (Library Impact Ontario, Bridge Toolkit & Data Solutions)
Policy, Planning and Performance Management
Toronto Public Library
smckensy@tpl.ca
bridge@tpl.ca