Summer 2024

The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) is Canada’s most comprehensive accessible reading service, providing books and other materials to people with print disabilities living in Canada in the formats of their choice. With access to over one million professionally produced titles, CELA provides a quality library experience for people with print disabilities.

Each year, CELA works with the TD Summer Reading Club to develop the accessible elements of the program. These materials are distributed to libraries to assist them in developing inclusive programming for kids with disabilities.

To recognize the efforts of libraries, CELA offers an annual award for excellence in accessible English or French programming. The award was established in 2017 to celebrate the creativity of library staff who engage children with disabilities in their TD Summer Reading Club by

• making their reading activities, events and programs inclusive for children of all abilities
• connecting readers with TD Summer Reading Club titles in audio, e-book or braille formats
• promoting community partnerships that strengthen access to materials and programming for children with disabilities
• increasing library staff awareness of accessibility best practices

Past Winners

2023—Cambridge Public Library (Ontario)
2022—Bibliothèques de Laval (Quebec)
2021—Centre Hastings Public Library (Madoc, Ontario)
2019—Moose Jaw Public Library (Saskatchewan)
2018—Cochrane Public Library (Ontario) and Bibliothèque de Saint-Léonard (Quebec) 
2017—Bibliothèque Jean-Lapierre (Havre-aux-Maisons, Quebec)

Prize

CELA offers a $2,000 cash prize to the winning library. The winner is announced in the spring of the following year at either the English or French award ceremony, depending on the language of the winning application.

Who is eligible to apply for the award?

To apply, you must be a public library (or a public library branch) that 

• participated in the TD Summer Reading Club during the year of application
• offered the TD Summer Reading Club program for at least six weeks that summer
• completed the TD Summer Reading Club Statistics and Evaluation Form before September 30 using the link that will be provided when the survey is sent out
• clearly identified the TD Summer Reading Club in all promotional and programming materials, as outlined in the detailed brand guidelines
• is prepared to promote your TD Summer Reading Club program and share your strategies

Winners will not be eligible for prizes the following year. Participating libraries may submit one application per year.

How to apply

Complete the TD Summer Reading Club Accessibility Award Application form by September 23, 2024.

Optional: send supporting documentation to members@celalibrary.ca. This could include videos, photographs, letters, statistics, news articles, website pages, newsletters, promotional materials or other appropriate materials that effectively describe your program.

Evaluation criteria for the CELA Accessibility Award

Applicants will be evaluated according to all the following criteria. Please describe how you made accessibility a priority at your library by addressing these points:
1.    Created inclusion in your Club by making your spaces, programming, communications and other activities accessible. 
2.    Made staff, volunteers and summer students aware of accessible resources to offer equitable library services.
3.    Promoted and gave children access to accessible materials (e.g., audiobooks, e-books, braille) of various genres, formats and reading levels that were geared to their interests, abilities and experiences.
4.    Developed innovative outreach strategies to include the disabled community and engaged with various groups of children or community groups (Learning Disability Associations, CNIB, etc.) in your targeted age groups.

Resources to make your club accessible

Libraries are encouraged to read through these resources if they are seeking ways to make their programs more welcoming to children with disabilities. If you implement one or more of these ideas at your library, include it in your application.

• Plan for Accessibility
• Accessibility page for families 
• Get Your Summer Read On: Make your program accessible

Selection committee

CELA invites library staff, parents or professionals working with children with disabilities to join the selection committee. Contact members@celalibrary.ca for more information.