Library Partners Advocate for Equitable Digital Access at ROMA 2026

At the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference today, Georgian Bluffs, alongside the Township of Chatsworth and the City of Owen Sound, jointly called on the Province to take meaningful action toward equitable access to digital library resources for rural communities.

The delegation to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming highlighted the growing gap in digital access between urban and rural Ontarians, noting that rural residents rely more heavily on public libraries to access vital digital services, yet continue to face challenges. According to the Ontario Library Association, people living in smaller communities have access to less than a third of the online resources as those living in Toronto, despite accessing them twice as often per capita as people in large urban communities.

Led by Georgian Bluffs CAO and 20-year veteran of the Library Board, Ryan Thompson, the delegation urged the Province to support the creation of an Ontario Digital Public Library (ODPL), which would provide everyone in the province with equal access to online resources. The proposed model would help close the digital divide by centralizing the purchase of digital resources across all public libraries, reducing subscription costs by up to 40 percent and ensuring consistent, high-quality online learning materials are available to all Ontarians.

“Our library is a lifeline,” said Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton. “Every Ontarian, regardless of where they live, should have access to the digital resources we have that support literacy, education, employment, and community well-being. For those without access to transportation, whether in rural or urban areas, digital library services provide a vital connection to their community. An Ontario Digital Public Library would help make that access possible for everyone.”

Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy adds "Strong digital library services are not a luxury, they’re a necessity.  Expanding digital resource access helps ensure our community remains connected, competitive, and contributive. We would strongly support the establishment of a provincial Digital Public Library.”

“Libraries play a vital role in expanding knowledge and fostering lifelong learning for all,” said Chatsworth Mayor Scott Mackey. “Chatsworth supports the creation of a Provincial Digital Public Library to encourage and enhance access to library services and resources for all.”

Local demand for Library services continues to grow. From 2023 to 2024, the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library (OSNGUPL) saw a 23.6 percent increase in program attendance and an 8.2 percent rise in memberships. In 2025, that growth continued, with program attendance up another 16 percent and memberships rising by 2 percent. The Library also recorded 50,000 more eContent resources accessed in 2025 compared to the year before, along with noticeable increases in Wi-Fi connections and public computer use. OSNGUPL ranks third in digital service use among libraries of similar size, with digital resources accounting for about $57,000 of its annual operating costs.

OSNGUPL Public Library Board Chair Richard Thomas said, "We are pleased that our municipal funders, Georgian Bluffs, Chatsworth and Owen Sound are championing the needs of their library by meeting with the Province. These issues are significant not only for us, but for libraries across Ontario. Both the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries and the Ontario Library Association have been working to address Provincial funding and digital access for all Ontario residents. We are hopeful that these issues will be addressed."

In addition to the ODPL, the delegation also called for targeted increases to provincial operating grants for libraries to help rural libraries support community needs including job training, early literacy, services for seniors, and mental health support.

With infrastructure in place through Provincial investment in broadband expansions and connectivity, the Ontario Digital Provincial Library model represents a timely opportunity to close the digital divide and streamline library services. The Library and its regional partners hope to work closely with the Ministry on this shared vision for stronger, better-connected communities across Ontario.