Announcement

“More than 201,000 Mississauga residents have a disability – which is more than a quarter of our population. As a City, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive community where everyone has equal access to services, programs and facilities,” said Acting Mayor and Ward 8 Councillor Matt Mahoney. “Our goal is to make all spaces, programs and services easily accessible for all, regardless of ability and I want to thank the Accessibility Advisory Committee who are helping us do just that. On behalf of Councillor Martin Reid who joins me as a Council representative on the committee and all Members of Council, I want to congratulation the Accessibility Advisory Committee on the occasion of their 20th anniversary and thank them for all their advice and input over the years.”

Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the City is required to develop a multi-year accessibility plan that outlines how Mississauga will meet its obligations under the legislation and remove barriers for people with disabilities. Last year, the City launched its third plan, which builds upon what has been accomplished since introducing its first multi-year plan in 2012.

The 2023 annual status update includes the following highlights:

• Improved accessibility at a number of City facilities and public spaces through targeted improvements, such as adding universal/all-season washrooms, adding accessible entrances/ramps, improved paths and walkways.
• Establishing a more inclusive employment culture by implementing policies and practices that ensure future and current employees with disabilities have the support to work effectively, experience career growth and have opportunities for learning, development and progression.
• Conducting site inspections to assess compliance with a number of AODA requirements and completed the biennial filing of the City’s accessibility compliance report.

“We’re proud to share that Mississauga has gone above and beyond AODA standards to create an accessible city for everyone,” said Raj Sheth, Commissioner of Corporate Services. “Our current Multi-Year Accessibility Plan showcases our dedication to removing barriers, promoting inclusion and our commitment to ensuring barrier-free spaces for all. We continue to work with our allies on the Accessibility Advisory Committee to seek their expertise and understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities to make sure our City programs and services are accessible to all and to help promote awareness in the community.”

To learn more about the City’s commitments to advancing accessibility and to read the 2023 annual status update, visit the webpage.

About the Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Accessibility Advisory Committee reviews municipal policies, programs and services to make the City more accessible to all citizens. The committee provides advice and suggests actions to help support the City’s accessibility goals. This year, marks the committee’s 20th anniversary.

Upgraded catalogue

The updated catalogue comes with a variety of new features and enhancements designed to meet the changing needs of library users. Central to these improvements is the introduction of smarter search capabilities. Thanks to improved filters and advanced search help, users can effortlessly sift through the library’s extensive collection to find precisely what they need, hassle-free.

Enhanced browsing experience

The system upgrade also enhances the browsing experience by allowing users to view all formats of a title in a single record. Whether it’s an audiobook, an e-book, or a traditional print version, all available formats are displayed together, simplifying the selection process. Furthermore, the catalogue now offers new ways for users to discover books, including the ability to explore new titles, award winners, and bestsellers and receive personalized recommendations for related titles and similar reads.

The innovation extends to community features in the catalogue, adding a social dimension to the library experience. Users can now rate and review titles, add custom tags for easier discovery, and create and share lists of book recommendations. These interactive features not only enhance the user experience but also help to build a vibrant community of readers and learners.

New mobile app

Another key highlight is the introduction of a new mobile app, available on Google Play and the Apple App Store, designed to bring the library’s resources directly to users’ fingertips. The app mirrors the new features of the catalogue and introduces additional functionalities tailored for today’s library users. With the app, users can manage multiple library accounts with ease, use a digital library barcode for convenience, and utilize ISBN barcode searching for quick finds. An upcoming feature for item checkout is expected to streamline the borrowing process even further.

A digital transformation

The launch of the upgraded catalogue and mobile app marks a significant milestone in the Mississauga Library’s journey towards digital transformation. By using technology to improve accessibility, convenience, and user engagement, the library is not only keeping pace with the digital age but also setting new benchmarks for what a library can achieve. As users start to explore all the features the new system offers, Mississauga Library is ready to transform the library experience for its community.

For further information about Mississauga Library or to discover the closest location to you, please visit mississaugalibrary.ca.