April 27, 2007

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT BOOSTS LITERACY AND LEARNING
$5 Million For Libraries Will Strengthen Ontario Communities And Support Education

ONTARIO — The Ontario government is enhancing the vital role of Ontario’s rural, remote and First Nations libraries as community hubs of literacy, learning and access to information by investing $5 million for libraries, Minister of Culture Caroline Di Cocco announced today.

“Our support will ensure that all Ontarians — regardless of where they live — have access to traditional and digital library services that enable them to participate fully in the life of their communities,” said Di Cocco.

The new investment will provide 552 public libraries that serve communities of under 20,000 people with one-time funding of $9,000 each.  The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries will also receive a grant of $32,000 to promote the interests of Ontario’s public libraries and help them achieve common goals. 
 
“With this unprecedented funding, the Ministry continues to recognize the important role of libraries in Ontario, particularly in rural and remote communities of our province,” said Marzio Apolloni, C.E.O. of Bruce County Public Library and a director of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries.
 “It confirms our belief that where you live should not determine the value of your citizenship.”

Ontario's public libraries play a key role in supporting literacy and learning, fostering an appreciation of literature and culture and providing information resources to newcomers, job seekers, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

 

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