Essa Public Library

SERVICEONTARIO COMES TO YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY!

The Ministry of Government Services, through its ServiceOntario Division, has been working closely with Public and First Nations libraries to provide access to government services, transactions and programs. 

ServiceOntario has a goal of enhancing the delivery of government information to individuals, families and businesses. We want to make interacting with government easier and more convenient for the public.  We are able to do this through strategic partnerships between ServiceOntario and local libraries. 

The objective of this program is to support Libraries as they provide on-line access and in some cases assistance to individuals, families and businesses who visit the Library looking for government information and self-service e-transactions. 

We know that the public often relies on their trusted and respected local library staff to help them find the information they need about public services.  We will help you meet these needs and make it easier for both you and members of the public to access information about Ontario Government programs and services.  

ServiceOntario is a single window for government information, providing assistance and referrals on behalf of provincial ministries.  Additionally, ServiceOntario also offers transactions, such as application filing or intake services.  Information about government services is available in one easy-to-use location www.ServiceOntario.ca and the website is particularly user-friendly because it organizes information by key words and themes. 

You can reach ServiceOntario through five, separate, yet inter-connected channels: on-line, by telephone, in person, at kiosks and through publications.

1. Online:  you can access the website (links on this page) to obtain services such as, "Guaranteed" Birth, Marriage and/or Death Certificate applications; Driver & Vehicle online services such as the Enhanced Driver's License; Business Registration and name searches; access to multiple Ministry websites and much more!

2. Telephone:  ServiceOntario's Contact Centre provides government information and referral services on behalf of multiple Ministries and programs.  The Centre also provides support for the ServiceOntario website:

1-800-267-8097 toll free

1-800-268-7095 TTY toll-free

ServiceOntario Business Info Line  1-888-668-4249 toll free

3.  In person:  ServiceOntario Centres offer counter service as a single access point to information from numerous government

ministries, programs and services through a variety of on-site channels.  They are typically open during regular office hours (8:30 - 5:00) and there are currently 79 ServiceOntario Centres in communities across the province.  Our local ServiceOntario Centre is 34 Simcoe Street, Main Floor, Suite 2, Barrie, Ontario L4N 6T4

For a complete listing of locations and services offered click on this link: ServiceOntario Centres

4.  ServiceOntario Kiosks:  these Kiosks are located in high traffic malls and government buildings across the province, allowing easy and convenient access to services including: Ministry of Natural Resources hunting and fishing licences; Renewal of Licence Plate stickers; Change of address for Health Cards, Drivers Licences and Outdoor Cards and more.  The kiosks accept all major credit cards and function like automated bank machines and form the largest self-service kiosk network in North America.  You can find your nearest kiosk through this link:  ServiceOntario Kiosks

5.  ServiceOntario Publications:  You can shop over 4,000 titles in person, by telephone, by fax or mail, or through the Publications  Ontario On-Line (POOL) website at https://www.publications.serviceontario.ca/ecom/ or call 1-800-668-9938 (toll-free)

Services to Businesses!

   ServiceOntario also provides information for start-up entrepreneurs to address the most immediate needs when thinking about or forming a new business.  For a direct link to this service, click on the banner at the top of the ServiceOntario section.

At Essa Public Library Branches in Angus & Thornton, we look forward to assisting you with any questions you may have about ServiceOntario.  Please visit our branches, telephone or email us at essalib@essa.library.on.ca.

ABOUT MY PROPERTY  

The Township of Essa is working with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to offer access to AboutMyPropertyTM at the municipal office.  This service is being made available to those property owners who do not have internet access at home.  AboutMyPropertyTM is a secure on-line information, which provides residential property owners access to detailed information about their own property and information on up to 24 residential properties of their choice.  Access is also available at both branches of the Essa Public Library Community Access Computers. Property owners will need their AboutMyProperty User ID and Password to log in.  This information can be found on the bottom right hand corner of the 2008 Property Assessment Notice.

For more information, property owners can also call toll-free @ 1-866-296-MPAC (6722) or if additional assistance is required.         

• 211 is a FREE confidential access to information, now across Ontario! You can call 211 and speak to a "live" information & referral specialist who can provide information on community, social, health and government services in 150 languages.  Phone lines are open 7 days a week/24 hours a day featuring friendly, sensitive and informed service.  

       You can also go online and use 211ontario website to search for information on their easy to navigate site.  It features almost           60,000 records of services and programs in every part of the province and is available in both English & French.  The answers         you need are only a phone call or mouse click away!

• FOCUS Community Development Corporation assists the community with employment searches, career counselling and decision making.  Find out more at: www.focuscdc.on.ca

• Nottawasaga Futures supports community partnering in projects to help sustain the socio-economic well being in South Simcoe.  Their webpage features community resources/initiatives that may help local businesses.  You can find them at:  www.nottawasaga.com

• The Public Health Agency of Canada, your health information source, delivers the latest information on healthy lifestyles and health promotion to help you prevent disease and injury:  www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

• Ontarians can now find health care close to home with the click of a mouse...local health services information is available at:

www.ontario.ca/healthcareoptions

• Culture.ca is the only on-line resource that provides such a broad view of Canadian culture on the Internet, in both official languages.  It features links to more than 15,000 Canadian cultural resources!

• For information on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's Good For Life program, visit:  www.simcoemuskokahealth.org