October is Canadian Library Month! During the month, libraries and library partners across Canada raise awareness of libraries’ valuable role in the lives of people in Canada.
In Ontario, the first week of October features First Nation Public Library Week, and the third week is Ontario Public Library Week (October 18-24). The 2026 theme is “Loud for Libraries / Haut et fort pour les bibliothèques.“
OLA is the provincial coordinator for Ontario Public Library Week. We provide public libraries and supporters with various promotional resources and graphics, which you can access below.
For questions and comments, please get in touch with communications@accessola.com
About the 2026 Theme - Loud for Libraries / Haut et fort pour les bibliothèques
Ontario Public Library Week (OPLW) 2026 takes place October 18–24, just ahead of the Ontario Municipal Elections on October 26. This timing presents a valuable opportunity for our sector to come together and highlight the essential role of public libraries as communities across the province elect new local representatives.
This year’s theme, Loud for Libraries / Haut et fort pour les bibliothèques, invites people across Ontario to consider what they are willing to do for libraries in their own communities:
- Will you be loud for libraries?
- Will you champion libraries?
- Will you show up for libraries?
- Will you speak up for libraries?
The theme creates space for reflection, conversation, and visible, collective support for public libraries and the communities they serve. It recognizes that advocacy can take many forms, and that every voice plays a role in shaping strong, responsive library services.
Loud for Libraries / Haut et fort pour les bibliothèques also challenges long-standing perceptions of libraries as quiet, passive spaces. While libraries continue to offer spaces for reading, learning, and reflection, they are also vibrant community hubs for dialogue, creativity, connection, and civic participation. The theme reinforces the idea that libraries are not only places to visit, but institutions worth speaking up for.
Digital Graphics and Assets
Click the corresponding links to view and right click on the graphics to download.
Interested in adapting the graphics for your specific library? Access the Canva template here.
🖥️ Celebrate with Every Screen: Use the Official Desktop Wallpaper All October
The OLA is calling on all libraries to showcase their support this October by using the official OPLW/CLM desktop wallpaper on all public computers!
OPLW Social Media Toolkit
Celebrate the week on social media, highlighting the valuable role your library plays in your community. Along with visuals, the OLA is sharing sample social media posts and tips & tricks for online engagement this year.
Please feel free to modify as appropriate to your library. Just don’t forget to use the hashtags #OPLW and #LoudForLibraries / #HautEtFortPourLesBiblios to increase visibility and make it easier for others to find and engage with your content.
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Being Loud for Libraries
Sample 1:
📚 We’re #LoudForLibraries this Ontario Public Library Week!
Libraries are essential community spaces that support learning, connection, and well-being.
🗳️ As municipal elections approach, let’s make sure libraries are part of the conversation. Will you be #LoudForLibraries?
Sample 2:
Celebrate #OPLW by being #LoudForLibraries 🎉
💬 Fill in the blank in the comments:
“My library is important to me because ______.”
Sample 3:
📚 We’re building a list of ways to be #LoudForLibraries this Ontario Public Library Week!
Being loud for your library can look like:
📖 Checking out materials
✔️ Attending programs & events
❤️ Sharing your love on social media
🗳️ Voting for candidates who support the library
What would you add to the list? How do you show up for your library? 💬
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Demonstrating the Value of Your Library
These social media posts are intended to showcase the value you bring to your local community. To fill in the blanks, you can use data from the Annual Survey of Public Libraries. Need help pulling your data? Connect with your staff member who fills out the survey each year. Or email lkwok@accessola.com for assistance.
Sample 1:
📚 In [YEAR], our library ran _____ programs to our community. From early literacy to business development programs, we’re proud to serve you.
🤔 What’s a library program that’s made a difference for you? #LoudForLibraries #OPLW
Sample 2:
💡 We’re #LoudForLibraries because access matters.
Did you know we offer:
🧠_________ databases
💃 _________ programs
💻 _________ e-learning courses
📚 _________ physical & digital items (books, eBooks, audiobooks)
There’s so much waiting for you at your library.
💬 What’s one resource you love (or want to try)?
Get your library card this Ontario Public Library Week! 📚 #OPLW
TIP: If your library offers a unique collection or program, this is a good opportunity to highlight it. E.g., DId you know we offer: a musical instrument lending library / a monthly technology repair cafe / snowshoe rental.
Sample 3:
📢 [NAME OF COMMUNITY] is #LoudForLibraries
👥 _________ cardholders
🏢 _________ visits to our branches
🪑 _________ meeting room bookings
📚 _________ items borrowed
❤️_________ program attendees
🤝 _________ community partnerships
Libraries thrive because of community support. #VoteForLibraries at this upcoming municipal election. #OPLW
TIP: If your library has a report highlighting these stats (e.g., annual report or return on investment (ROI) report), feel free to link to it as part of the social media post.
- Along with engaging with people interacting with your own posts, remember to engage with posts from other libraries, as well as your own community. Show your support by liking, commenting, or sharing posts with the #OPLW or #LoudForLibraries / #HautEtFortPourLesBiblios hashtags. Re-share testimonials, photos, and stories from patrons and staff alike! Real voices = real impact.
- Highlight local stories – adapt the sample social media posts as much as possible to best reflect your community. Highlight your best attended programs or branch-specific achievements. What local impact stories can you share? People love seeing themselves and their communities reflected in posts.
- Turn your posts into conversations by asking a question.
- What does your library mean to you?
- How has the library supported you or your family?
- What would your community lose without libraries?
- Do you have a favourite library memory?
- Tag your municipality and other relevant organizations for more reach.
- Remember to use the official OPLW visuals to help your posts stand out on social media.
- Ideas for Engagement:
- Partner with a local library champion, media personality, author, or a community organization (e.g., local arts centre) to create content and promote the library through their networks.
- Invite a community member to do a social media takeover and share the library from a patron’s perspective.
- Connect with Bookstagrammers, BookTokers, bloggers, or other online creators to highlight library services or collections. Invite them to your OPLW event!
- Encourage community advocates to share stories on social media about how the library has supported them or their community.
2026 OLA Advocacy Toolkit
Coming Soon.
Poster/Bookmark Orders and Shipping
With support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, the OLA will once again provide printed OPLW posters and bookmarks to small libraries serving populations under 7,000. Materials will be automatically shipped to all eligible libraries—there’s no need to place an order or express interest. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact lkwok@accessola.com. All printed materials will be sent out by the end of September.
First Nations Public Library Week - Coordinated by Ontario Library Service
Since 2000, First Nation public libraries have used one week of the year to raise awareness of their resources, services, programs and activities. First Nation Public Library Week is celebrated the first week of October to coincide with Canadian Library Month.
First Nation Public Library Week is an opportunity to promote public library services and celebrate cultural uniqueness through creative library programming. We encourage all Ontario libraries to join in its celebration!
First Nation Public Library Week runs October 4-10.
Please visit the First Nation Public Library Week website for more information about the program’s history, updates, and resources.
2026 Ontario Public Library Week Sponsors
The OLA thanks the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming for their support of Ontario Public Library Week.
If you are interested in sponsoring OPLW 2026, please contact Jennifer Marriott at Gap.Point.Reach. Inc at info@gappointreach.com by August 15.
Looking for library leaders to support Ontario Public Library Week.
If you support Ontario public libraries, maybe you are interested in sponsoring Ontario Public Library Week.
Your support will go toward printing and shipping OPLW posters and bookmarks for Ontario public libraries that serve a population of less than 7,000. This year, the OLA willautomatically shipping OPLW posters and bookmarks to all small libraries serving communities of less than 7,000 residents. That’s 213 libraries across the province, including those in rural, Northern and First Nation communities!
For your support you will receive recognition on Ontario Public Library Week promotional materials including the website and an invite to the official launch event for Ontario Public Library Week with the Minister (invited) and library CEOs.
OLA will also recognize you as a sponsor on sponsorship signage at other events such OLA Super Conference.
Sponsorship is $1,000 per company. If interested please contact Jennifer Marriott at Gap.Point.Reach. Inc at info@gappointreach.com by August 15.
