Several district libraries, including the Fort Frances Public Library, will receive funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to purchase equipment and books, to upgrade training and technology, and to increase accessibility, the Ministry of Culture announced Friday.
The local library will receive $9,000 over one year to purchase equipment that will make the children’s department more accessible for all age groups.
Other libraries in the district to receive funding include the Emo Public Library ($9,300), the Rainy River Public Library ($9,000), and the Rainy River First Nations Resource Centre ($8,500).
“Libraries in small communities play a vital role,” said provincial Culture minister Madeleine Meilleur.
“They are at the heart of community life.”^The Trillium Foundation’s Strategic Granting Initiative for Library Boards provides funding to libraries across the province serving municipalities of 20,000 people or less, First Nations libraries, and local services boards that offer library services.
The initiative has a budget of $2 million, of which $224,000 was earmarked for Northwestern Ontario.
Altogether, 28 libraries in Northwestern Ontario received a share of the funding.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation receives $100 million of government funding annually generated from Ontario’s charity casino initiative.
It then invests that money into communities across the province.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
