Community Partners

Kingston Frontenac Public Library

With multiple branches serving the people of Kingston and Frontenac, KFPL offers free access to library materials, information and computers in the support of literacy, leisure and lifelong learning. Libraries are the original recyclers, and KFPL is committed to promoting environmentally sustainable practices within the library as well as providing information and collections focused on environmental issues and best practices. Library branches play an essential role in creating strong neighbourhoods and a successful city.

Community Actions

Action	Target	Status	Themes
People Places Library branches offer citizens a safe, welcoming, barrier-free, non-judgemental place to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly and read, as well as open and accessible virtual spaces that support social networking.	To offer the community a safe, inclusive place.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO5 All themes by pillar Social: SO5
Wii Fitness Library The library lends fitness and sports computer games designed for healthy activity.	To encourage active living.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO2 All themes by pillar Social: SO2
Pedometer Library Pedometers can be borrowed free of charge at all library branches.	To encourage active living.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO2 All themes by pillar Social: SO2
Tech. Tutors Students hired through the Community Access Program (CAP) to offer public training and assistance with computers and other e-devices.	To assist with computers and other e-devices.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO1 All themes by pillar Social: SO1
Literacy Tutors The Library hires university students to provide literacy programs to ensure that children do not regress in their reading levels during the summer.	To ensure children do not regress in their reading levels during the summer.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO1 All themes by pillar Social: SO1
Life Long Learning KFPL staff provide citizens with the resources they need to explore topics of personal interest and continue to learn throughout their lives. Citizens develop the skills they need to locate and evaluate the information they need to make informed choices.	To help people locate and evaluate the information they need.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO1 All themes by pillar Social: SO1
Every Child Ready to Read KFPL staff help parents and caregivers to create young readers by providing children from birth to age 5 with materials and activities to ensure that they enter school with the skills they need to learn to read, write, and listen.	To help create young readers.	Ongoing	Primary theme: SO1 All themes by pillar Social: SO1
Calvin Park Branch Library LEED Gold accredited, winner of the 2011 Citizens’ Choice Award for Liveable City Design the Calvin Park Branch serves as a model for sustainable civic architecture.		Ongoing	Primary theme: EN5 All themes by pillar Environmental: EN5
E-books The Library E-book collection is available free of charge through the Library’s website. E-books save on trees and reduce solid waste.	To help reduce paper usage.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EN3 All themes by pillar Environmental: EN3
Energy Meters Energy meters can be borrowed free of charge at all library branches.	To help with energy conservation.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EN1 All themes by pillar Environmental: EN1
Used Book Sales and Book Redistribution The Friends of the Library accept and resell gently used books in ongoing book sales at the Central Library and Isabel Turner Branch. Books which are discarded from the Library collections are sent to Better World Books for redistribution throughout North America.	To help keep books in the hands of people.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EN3 All themes by pillar Environmental: EN3
Solar Energy Both the Central Library and the Kingscourt Branch library have rooftop solar panels as part of the City's energy program.	To supply clean energy to the utility grid.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EN1 All themes by pillar Environmental: EN1
Local History and Family Research The Central Library houses the Kingston Genealogical Society’s collection of books, papers and family trees. This, along with the library’s rich history collection attracts genealogists and researchers to the city. The library serves as one more component in a critical mass of attractions that draw visitors to Kingston.	To help with family research.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EC3 All themes by pillar Economic: EC3
Job Search and Business Support Professional librarians assist the public with information on companies and potential employers, job search strategies, on-line databases, and resume writing.	To help with job search and business support.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EC3 All themes by pillar Economic: EC3
Neighbourhood Libraries Library branches enhance Kingston’s character and liveability and improve property values. KFPL branch libraries help to knit neighbourhoods together and facilitate residential, retail, and commercial development.	To continue to help knit neighbourhoods together.	Ongoing	Primary theme: EC2 All themes by pillar Economic: EC2
Multicultural Library Project In partnership with the Kingston Immigration Partnership, the Library received CSIF funding to expand its multicultural collections of books, magazines and DVD’s and to provide multilingual programming at the Calvin Park Branch.		March 2012	Primary theme: CU4 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU4
Election Polling Stations Various branches serve as polling stations during Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections. Municipal voting lists are made available for consultation at urban branches	To encourage active voting.	Ongoing	Primary theme: CU3 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU3
Local History Collection The Local History Collection is a Reference and Circulating research collection consisting of works which relate to the history, geography, geology, culture and socio-economic composition of Frontenac County, with specific emphasis on Kingston. Collection emphasis is on secondary source material including city directories and voter’s lists.	To make information on local history available.	Ongoing	Primary theme: CU2 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU2
Historical Designated Buildings 2 library branches are attached to designated buildings. The Central Library incorporates the Bishop’s House built in 1842 for Bishop MacDonnell. The Pittsburgh Branch incorporates Hawthorne Cottage, a rural limestone cottage built in 1866.	To celebrate our heritage.	Ongoing	Primary theme: CU2 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU2
Museum Passes The Museum Pass program broadens access to the city's cultural life by providing families with the opportunity to visit selected city museums and art galleries for free. Patrons borrow and return a limited number of free passes to local museums and art galleries in the same way they would borrow library materials.	To increase visits to local museums.	Ongoing	Primary theme: CU2 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU2
Meeting Rooms Library rents meeting space to non-profit organizations and others for cultural and educational purposes.	To encourage community involvement and discussion.	Ongoing	Primary theme: CU3 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU3
Art Displays Central Library provides free space for art exhibits which reflect diverse cultural interests.	To foster community and individual expression.	Ongoing	Primary theme: CU1 All themes by pillar Cultural: CU1