49th Teachers
A partnership between the OBPO, Ontario Creates, 49th Shelf and the Association of Canadian Publishers, 49th Teachers is an online database of Canadian kids’ books created in 2018. Stocked with 20,000 books by Canadian authors and accompanying teacher resources, 49th Teachers makes it easier for Canadian publishers to reach educators and librarians, and increases the presence of Canadian books in classrooms and libraries.
Regional Marketing Initiatives
Every other year, the OBPO selects three regions in Ontario and highlights books local to that region through publicity and advertising in local media outlets, bookstore displays, and targeted social media campaigns. The first iteration of the Regional Marketing Initiative was in 2019, and since then, the following regions have been targeted: Kitchener-Waterloo, Peterborough, Prince Edward County, Guelph, Stratford, Ottawa, Hamilton, Windsor, and Northern Ontario.
OLA Super Conference Pavilion
Each January since 2004, the OBPO hosts a popular pavilion at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference, providing OBPO publishers with the opportunity to affordably exhibit their titles at Canada’s largest library conference. Featuring individual publisher displays and dozens of author signings, the pavilion helps Ontario publishers reach up to 4,500 library staff contacts each year.
Open Book
Open Book is an online literary publication celebrating and profiling Ontario’s non-stop literary scene, with a special focus on the books and events produced by Ontario’s independent, Canadian-owned publishers.
Overdrive Lists
Each season, the OBPO curates lists of new titles from Ontario publishers and works with Overdrive to promote them to Canadian libraries.
International Trade Show Exhibitions
The OBPO seeks opportunities to promote Ontario books at international industry fairs such as the London Book Fair and Frankfurt Book Fair. Past initiatives have included networking events, collective exhibits, and consultations available to individual publishers on making the most of these trade shows. During Canada’s role as Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2020, the OBPO funded dozens of German translations of Ontario-published books.