MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Markham Public Library Wins 2009 Innovation Award
C3™ – Customer Centred Classification System Makes Libraries Easier to Use

MARKHAM, ON – On February 25, 2010, at the Ontario Public Library Conference Awards ceremony, Markham Public Library received the Minister's Award for Innovation for its C3™ – Customer Centred Classification initiative.

The Award, presented by the Ministry of Culture, recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact in a community and is of continued value for public libraries.

"I applaud the innovation of the Markham Public Library in introducing a new classification system that has our residents and visitors in mind," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "The Library continues to be a vital educational place where people come together to imagine, learn and grow."

Markham's C3™ is a new library classification system designed from a customer perspective. It replaces the traditional Dewey Classification System, making libraries easier to use, and supporting more efficient and effective library operations. 

The key features of C3™ are customer-friendly subject categories for non-fiction collections, colour-coded signage and spine labels, and shorter and simpler call numbers. The new system has helped users find specific items 71% faster.

The efficiency benefits of C3™ are related to faster material flow – the short C3™ numbers speed up the handling of the thousands of items that flow through library branches every day, making it more efficient for staff to sort, shelve and retrieve items.  This drives higher rates of collection turnover by getting returned items back out onto the shelves 78% faster than before.

"Markham Public Library's C3™ initiative combines the best of library and retail book organization.  This innovation has allowed the library to continue providing excellent customer service in the face of tremendous growth," said Catherine Biss, CEO, Markham Public Library. "We thank the Ministry of Culture for this incredible recognition, and for its ongoing support for the important role public libraries play in our community."

"Congratulations to Catherine Biss and the library team for a tremendous project," said Cheryl Giblon, Markham Library Board Chair. "The interest of the Library Community in C3 is growing, and the public recognition of this superb innovation is highly gratifying."

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For further information, please contact:
Diane Macklin, Marketing and Programming Strategist
Email: dmacklin@markham.library.on.ca
Telephone: 905-513-7977 ext. 3912