2.5 Libraries as a Place for All

Modern libraries offer engaging and innovative environments to attract a diverse range of patrons. Successful spaces offer intimacy, warmth, and comfort on a public scale. Libraries must accommodate an unprecedented diversity of clientele as demographics continue to evolve. Collections, service points, and lounge spaces must consider a range of physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, a broad age range, and diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Brampton Library is a place for all people. Its doors are open to anybody that wishes to enter and people are welcomed without judgement. Brampton Library employs a progressive operating philosophy that respects the strong diversity found throughout the city – Brampton Library’s vision of inspiring Connectionsand its mission statement that references an intent to “create opportunities for everyone” reinforces the organization’s commitment to inclusion. In being a place for all:

• Libraries Serve Multiple Ages & Generations - Libraries are multi-generational settings that attract new parents and toddlers, school-age and post-secondary students, young professionals and seniors. Libraries have adapted their collections and programming to respond to the needs of diverse age groups, carefully remaining apprised of trends and interests pertaining to each. In terms of both absolute and proportionate growth between the 2006 and 2016 Census periods,

Brampton has seen increases across all age groups, largely due to the rate of growth in the City as a whole over this time.

• Libraries are an Access Point for Vulnerable Populations - Public libraries are one of the few free spaces available to marginalized populations. The Public Libraries Actsupports provision of equal and universal access to information and ensures free and equitable access to public libraries for all members of the community. Among other items, the Act specifies that there are to be no charges for admissions to library, in-library use of materials, borrowing / reserving materials, nor for information services. There are a number lower income households in

Brampton that benefit greatly from affordable and accessible public library services including the nearly 67,000 residents (11.3% of the total population) living below Statistics Canada’s Low-

Income Measure After Tax.

• Libraries as Destinations for Newcomers and Diverse Cultures - Libraries have long been some of the first community destinations sought out by newcomers to Canada. Libraries are a place for recent immigrants to hone language and literary skills through access to collections and programs such as ESL, while providing a safe space to meet other people in their community. The

Library is an invaluable access and referral point for newcomer services offered by all levels of government and agencies operating locally. They are also places that showcase the cultural backgrounds found within the communities they serve, while providing a welcoming and comfortable environment through the design of space, collections, and staffing. More than half of

Brampton residents (52%) were born outside of Canada and the city’s immigrant population increased by 100,000 persons between the 2006 and 2016 Census periods.

• The Library as an Advocate for Social Justice - There has been a resurgence in recent years of attention placed upon social justice issues. Prominent areas of focus have included the

LGBTQ2S, Indigenous and racialized communities. Libraries have raised awareness of social issues, educated the broader public, and supported historically marginalized populations. Efforts have largely centred upon supplementing collections with authors representing marginalized backgrounds and topics speaking to these communities, showcasing such collections at certain times of the year (e.g. Black History Month, Pride, etc.), delivering intentional programming (e.g.

London Public Library offers a Drag Queen Storytime), and providing resources to these communities. Indigenous art has become integrated to a greater extent in public places in recognition of the role that these peoples have played in the development of the country as well as to promote principles of Truth and Reconciliation.