Ontario libraries receive funding boost for the first time in 20 years
Posted May 4, 2018 12:41:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was a bit of a victory for book lovers today when details of the first funding increase in 20 years for Ontario libraries were spelled out in Kitchener today.
Kitchener Centre MPP, and Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Daiene Vernile, spoke at the Kitchener Public Library, going over the money included in the recent provincial budget.
She highlighted how the budget includes an extra $51-million over three years for library operating budgets, and $28-million over three years to create a provincial Digital Public Library.
In her speech, Vernile made mention of how library boosters and multiple city councils, including Kitchener’s, lobbied the Wynne government for more funding.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic spoke to 570NEWS about how it’s a testimony to how municipalities can be more effective getting results when they speak with one voice.
Kelly Galloway-Sealock was one of the Kitchener councilors who put forward a winning motion to have the City do just that.
She tells 570NEWS, she feels “this is a very welcomed announcement today, and very proud and satisfied that we were able to have a small part in making sure that this happened.”
Galloway-Sealock is also a member of the Kitchener Public Library board.
