Government pledges $1.6 million to 10 libraries across Ontario
The Government of Ontario plans on spending $1.6 million to grow and support libraries across the province. The investment comes as part of the Ontario Libraries Capacity Fund’s plan to further develop public and First Nation’s libraries into engaging community centres over the next three years.
On Jan. 26, 2016, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport Michael Coteau announced a handful of research and innovation projects cleared for funding.
First on the docket are 10 projects across the province with an emphasis on technological development and the creation of resources useful to all demographics. This services-and-support approach is customized based on each of the libraries’ needs.
According to the Government of Ontario website, the Ontario Libraries Capacity Fund pledges $10 million over three years. The collective goal is to develop on- and off-site hubs to provide more dynamic and engaging service. Proposed projects are eligible for one to two years of funding, with a maximum grant of $100,000 per year.
Minister Coteau made the announcement at the Milton Public Library, which will see a grant of $169,000 over two years to encourage the No Walls project. No Walls will broaden the library’s virtual resources, outreaching to people through games and social media applications in order to encourage participation in library programs and services.
“I’m proud we are supporting 10 new projects that will help libraries enhance the vital role they play and ensure their programs are having a positive impact,” said Coteau in a Jan. 26, 2016 news release. “Libraries across the province will be able to learn from the results and knowledge gained through these initiatives.”
The Wellington County Public Library will receive a grant of over $157,000 over two years for the Rural Internet Lending Programme. The project aims to provide internet access in rural areas and further expand the program of lending Google Chromebooks to students.
The Toronto Public Library will receive $200,000 for the creation of a Library Technology Services Toolkit—a research project aiming to assess the changing needs of people, primarily in an urban environment. The library will work in conjunction with both academic and private partners to assess the different aspects of technology-based services, and then implement the toolkit at rural and urban libraries across the province.
At the Pickering Library, a $175,000 grant will help to develop the Backpack Library Project. The funding will allow the library to create and maintain mobile hotspots across the city, primarily for people who do not have regular internet access. Similarly, the Windsor Public Library’s Library Hubs Meeting Community Needs project seeks to broaden the scope of internet accessibility to people experiencing poverty and homelessness in both rural and urban areas. The goal is to offer programs and services through community hubs as an outreach to high-needs populations. The Windsor Library will take on this feat with the Essex County Library, Guelph Public Library, Access County Community Support Services, and the New Canadians Centre for Excellence.
The Ontario Libraries Capacity Fund’s announcement came the day before Family Literacy Day, which has promoted the strengthening of reading and writing skills since 1999.
“Strong literacy skills are key for children, youth and adults to succeed and reach their full potential…They are essential for a prosperous society,” said Minister of Education Liz Sandals, in the same Jan. 26 news release.
Along with the projects already mentioned, funding has been granted to the Lambton County Library, Ottawa Public Library, Simcoe County Library Cooperative, St. Thomas Public Library, and the Ontario Library Service in northern communities.
There is a growing emphasis on the availability of services customized to meet the needs of immigrants and people living in visible and invisible poverty.