English summary

Measuring the performance of Quebec public libraries
Jacques Desbiens

Initially, we propose to calculate the productivity of autonomous Quebec public libraries by comparing the real cost of the service offered with the estimated cost of the service if it were managed in the same manner as comparable services. This approach consists of establishing an estimated unit cost to provide a particular service based on those variables affecting the real cost of such a service. Once the estimated unit cost has been determined, it is compared with the real unit cost. If the real unit cost is less than the estimated unit cost, then the service is well managed and productivity is good. If the real unit cost is higher than the estimated unit cost, then productivity could be improved and the real unit cost could be reduced. The next step involves a study of the effectiveness of the libraries as measured by two indicators: the percentage of the population served as represented by the number of registered users, and the number of loans per population served. By combining both procedures, we are able to measure the performance of autonomous public libraries in Quebec.

Toutp'tilitou, a program to expose children from 0 to 5 to the written word
Sylvie R. Blanchet

Within the framework of the Policy on Reading and Books adopted by the Quebec government in June 1998, the Department of Culture and Communications mandated Communication-Jeunesse to establish and disseminate a program to encourage reading and writing in children from 0 to 5 years of age. Christened Toup'tilitou, and aimed at anyone responsible for the care of preschoolers, the program consists of a training program; a selection of French-language books for children published in Quebec and elsewhere; suggested activities based on the books selected; and a campaign to alert everyone involved with the care of preschoolers to the importance of developing a love of books and a curiosity about the written word in children from 0 to 5.

The Armand-Frappier Library : a successful partnership
Manon Allen and André Deschamps

The Armand-Frappier Library, at the beginning of its fourth year in existence, is unique in Quebec. It was formed in September 1997 from the merger of the Municipal Library of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield (then celebrating its 50th anniversary) and the Library of the College de Valleyfield (in existence since the establishment of classical colleges), in order to provide better and more modern services. The rationale behind the decision to combine human, financial and material resources was an economic one: to make the best use of the budgets of both institutions. From the beginning, the studies undertaken and the merger itself were based on respect for the autonomy, the mission and the unique characteristics of each of the two partners. This unusual experiment has evoked much interest in other municipalities and colleges.