January 27 , 2007

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE LIBRARY PROJECTS ON FAMILY LITERACY DAY
Nine New Projects Support Student Success And Strong Communities

SARNIA — The McGuinty government is investing $226,700 from its Library Strategic Development Fund to support nine public library projects, Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today while marking Family Literacy Day at the Lambton County Public Library.

 “Today is Family Literacy Day and a great time to stop and remember how important literacy and libraries are,” said Di Cocco. “Ontario’s public and First Nations libraries are hubs of literacy and learning, connecting residents and communities to a global information network .”

The Library Strategic Development Fund (LSDF) invests in strategic initiatives that enhance the public library sector at the provincial and regional levels. Initiatives funded by this annual program include: research programs, technical support services, projects that address emerging issues and needs, projects that improve access, development of guidelines and standards, partnerships for new library services, and the creation of digital collections and services.

“New information technologies and resources such as computers and the internet have challenged and expanded the role of public libraries,” Di Cocco added. “Front-line staff have become knowledge navigators and facilitators in a digital information universe. Through the Library Strategic Development Fund, we are investing in innovative library initiatives to keep Ontario on the leading edge.”

The nine public libraries and projects to receive funding are: Bonfield Public Library, Collingwood Public Library, Grey Highlands Public Library, Hastings Highlands Public Library, Lambton County Public Library, Nipissing First Nation Public Library, Pickering Public Library, Ramara Public Library and Toronto Public Library.

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Contacts:
Mark Thompson, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-4071
Guy Lepage, Communications Branch, (416) 314-3497

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