ACT Library closed
- AIDS Bereavement Project of Ontario (ABPO)
- Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
- Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (CLGA)
- Rainbow Health Ontario
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology library
- York University library
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) Library has been providing access to HIV/AIDS resources for over 20 years. Created to provide a space where people could access up-to-date HIV/AIDS-related information, library usage has shifted in recent years. Fewer people have been visiting the library to access books, audio-visual materials, periodicals or journals. Increasingly, both service users and community members have been accessing, or wanting to access more information on-line.
In response to these changing needs, and in efforts to streamline the way information services are delivered, ACT has now ended its library program.
Public access to books (both circulating and reference), audio-visual materials, periodicals and journals ceased effective May 1, 2010.
Background:
In 2009, ACT undertook a comprehensive needs assessment to gauge the use of existing services among a broad range of people. This study assessed current patterns of library use, identified potential library users as well as barriers to library services, and identified new models and tools to guide the library function for the benefit of its many and varied stakeholders.
The assessment indicated a strong desire to have more information available online, and access to in-demand information such as educational resources and guides, with content covering a wide range of issues related to sex, health and wellbeing (i.e. issues related to but not restricted to HIV/AIDS such as sexual health, return-to-work and career issues, social assistance).
Based on these findings, ACT’s Library will close as we explore new models of information provision. ACT’s offices will continue to provide access to some resources, including those produced by ACT. Access to books (both circulating and reference), audio-visual materials, periodicals and journals will end effective May 1, 2010.
ACT is committed to exploring partnerships with other organizations to realize the goal of creating more accessible, on-line information, and we will inform our stakeholders as new developments occur.
Update: July 2, 2010:
As of June 30, we have donated (and will continue to donate) parts of the library collection to other libraries and institutions where the materials can put to good use. So far, ACT has donated books, periodicals and videos/DVDs to the following institutions:
As of June 30 the remaining items have been put in storage while we work with other institutions that have requested parts of the library collection.
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