Access to Education Fund
Kitchener Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Kitchener Public Library’s Access to Education Fund turns advocacy into action by addressing Canada’s deep inequities in librarianship. While nearly one-third of Canadians identify as Indigenous or racialized, only about 8–12 % of librarians do. To close this gap, KPL partnered with Waterloo Region Community Foundation to launch a donor-supported bursary, removing financial barriers for Indigenous, racialized, and equity-deserving staff pursuing graduate-level library education. Rooted in KPL’s Inclusion and Diversity Policy and aligned with the CFLA-FCAB Communiqué on Anti-Black Racism, the campaign reframed equity as community justice. Donors responded to this civic need, positioning the library as a municipal leader, translating inclusion principles into measurable change.
Challenge/Opportunity
Across Canada, visible minorities represent about 26.5 % of the population and Indigenous peoples about 5 %, yet together they account for only 8–12 % of librarians.
This gap perpetuates inequities in representation, collections, and leadership.
Graduate education costs disproportionately create barriers for staff from equity-deserving groups to advance into professional roles.
Guided by its Inclusion and Diversity Policy and national anti-racism commitments, KPL saw an opportunity to act locally: advocate publicly for fair access to education and mobilize community investment to change who can become a librarian.
The campaign elevated awareness of the library as a civic institution committed to justice, equity, and public trust.
Key Elements of Innovation
Structure: Donor-supported bursary hosted by Waterloo Region Community Foundation for equity-seeking KPL staff pursuing LIS education.
Implementation:
- Advocacy framed workforce equity as a civic and ethical imperative.
- Messaging emphasized systemic under-representation, aligning with KPL’s inclusion policy and CFLA-FCAB’s call to dismantle racism within libraries.
- Partnership with WRCF ensured credibility, donor stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
- Embedded within KPL’s organizational culture of learning and inclusion, supporting pathways for professional growth and leadership development.
Innovation: Moves from policy statements to tangible outcomes—using philanthropy as a lever for structural change.
Sector impact: Offers a Canadian model for aligning municipal library policy, philanthropy, and national equity goals.
Achieved Outcomes
Fund launched (2022): Campaign met fundraising goals in its first year, demonstrating broad donor confidence in equity-based library leadership.
First bursaries (2023): Awards provided to equity-seeking staff, easing financial stress, supporting wellbeing, and enabling pursuit of graduate studies.
Donor response: Community embraced the initiative as an act of justice, not charity, recognizing the library’s civic role in advancing equity.
Partnership: Collaboration with Waterloo Region Community Foundation expanded visibility, reach, and sustainability.
Metrics:
- Funds raised, donor participation, and annual growth.
- Number and value of bursaries awarded.
- Enrollment, credential completion, and progression into librarian roles.
- Staff outcomes in professional development and retention.
Advocacy impact: Reinforced KPL’s leadership in inclusion and anti-racism, showing how municipal libraries can mobilize philanthropy to achieve systemic change.
