The Bracebridge Library is proud to announce that it has received the Ontario Library Association’s (OLA) Media and Communications Award, recognizing excellence in storytelling and innovative communications that positively highlights libraries and their impact.
The award was presented at the OLA Super Conference on Thursday, January 29, 2026, and celebrates the library’s creative and authentic approach to connecting with the community through digital media and social storytelling.
The Bracebridge Library has focused on meeting people where they are, at home, on their devices, and on the go. Through engaging, relatable, and often playful content, the library has worked to break down long-standing stereotypes and highlight that libraries are vibrant community hubs offering far more than books alone.
“This award is incredibly meaningful because it reflects our willingness to try something new,” said Crystal Bergstrome, CEO & Chief Librarian. “We didn’t start with a perfect plan; we started with a desire to show who we really are and what libraries truly do. By meeting people where they are, we’ve been able to strengthen connections, reach new audiences, and remind our community that the library is a welcoming, dynamic space for everyone.”
The library’s communications approach emphasizes authenticity, creativity, and accessibility, helping foster engagement across generations and creating meaningful touchpoints with community members who may not traditionally engage through print or formal channels.
"Every day we work to show off the incredible things happening at the library, whether it's by staff or patrons," said Mathew Reisler, Marketing and Communications Coordinator. "It might be a TikTok that brightens an otherwise gloomy day, a program that leaves a patron with something they can proudly hang on their wall, or just a space for you to be you without fear of being judged. We do what we do for our community, so to see them embrace it is so rewarding."
The success of the library’s communications efforts has been supported by an engaged staff team, a forward-thinking Library Board, and municipal partners, including the Town of Bracebridge and Bracebridge Council, who have embraced creativity and actively supported innovative approaches to community engagement.
“We are incredibly fortunate to work in a community that supports bold ideas and believes in the value of its library,” Bergstrome added. “This award belongs to our entire team and to the community that continues to show up, engage, and grow with us.”
The Ontario Library Association’s Media and Communications Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work presents libraries and librarians in a constructive, engaging, and modern light, breaking down the stereotypical images associated with the profession and libraries as an institution.