Through discussions with partners and community members, we knew there was a lack of knowledge about French services in the area, even among French speakers. Unless attached to a local French school, francophone individuals and families in our area are largely isolated, dispersed, and under-resourced. While service organizations catering to francophones exist, even the most informed resident is hard-pressed to identify them. In addition, access to French-language cultural events in the region is limited. By engaging the community, bringing together various organizations, and leveraging the library’s partnerships, we sought to celebrate and lift this isolated community.

Our 2-day event promoted Franco-Ontarian culture while connecting our community with the province's francophone artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations. By making the event free and open to all, it also helped increase the visibility of a minority group through the celebration of their language and culture.

VPL hosted a large, grant-funded, event called the Salon francophone over the course of two days in March 2025. The event featured various elements of Franco-Ontarian culture, including 3 author visits, magic and mime shows, traditional storytelling and dancing, improvisation, as well as booths featuring 9 different community groups offering services in French. A true celebration of francophone culture – with a little something for everyone – it offered opportunities for engaging in conversations and for highlighting the presence of Francophonie in our city.

The event helped spearhead a coming together of like-minded people who otherwise may never have connected with one another. We helped foster a feeling of belonging and inclusion for an important, but dispersed and undemanding, minority group in our community and helped them celebrate their culture while also expanding their understanding of the breadth of services and supports available to them at the library and elsewhere.

The 14 activities and workshops, designed to accommodate participants of all ages and varying levels of French proficiency, created an inclusive experience for the 450 community members who took part, allowing them to fully engage with francophone culture. The event also helped increase the visibility of community organizations and helped them make connections with potential clients. Numerous positive comments were received and participants expressed interest in additional French-language programming at the library.

Thanks to contacts made during the event, VPL has since offered programs in collaboration with one of the artists and has signed a partnership agreement with the regional francophone association (AFRY) for the provision of programs and services, including workshops, and regular library-based office hours for their settlement workers. Such partnerships help enhance VPL’s reach to our minority francophone community and position VPL as a key community hub for all.