Public libraries receive new funding

Education Minister Joan Burke today announced $250,000 in additional funding this year for public libraries in recognition of the vital services libraries provide to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The funding will be used to increase the hours of operation in 47 libraries throughout the province.

Minister Burke joined Cal Taylor, chair of the Provincial Information and Library Resource Board (PILRB), at the board�s office in Stephenville to the make the announcement.

"Habits and lifestyles are changing and our libraries are changing, too," said Minister Burke. "Most people view libraries as a place to borrow books, but libraries offer so much more. Modern libraries have extensive specialized collections including videos, DVDs and CDs. They have computers and printers. Some have digital cameras and laptops. People can access business directories, newspapers from London and New York, and university calendars. Libraries house information that people need to succeed, and now people have more time to peruse the stacks and get what they need."

Additional hours of operation each week will provide better service to the children, students, parents, adults, seniors and many other groups who access the vast resources that are held in the system. "I am very pleased that government has recognized the important role libraries play in our communities," said Mr. Taylor. "The commitment of this additional funding will encourage increased use of public libraries and complement advancements in literacy and rural development."

Minister Burke and Mr. Taylor also announced today the implementation of a new library management system for the PILRB , which was funded in part by a $250,000 grant from government�s 2005 Budget.

The minister noted that the new system will include advancements in many areas. People will be able to search more effectively for books with an improved online library catalogue. They will also be able to renew borrowed books online, place requests for books that are on loan, view a

list of items they currently have on loan, or request overdue notices by e-mail.

"In addition to these improvements, the new system will also have a number of new administrative features which will help us manage our library system more effectively. We will also be able to automate additional library sites which was no longer possible given the age and limitations of the previous system," said Mr. Taylor. "We are delighted to have this new system in place and are confident that its implementation will result in a much improved public library service."

For 2006, automation projects are scheduled for Deer Lake, Grand Falls-Windsor, Bay Roberts, Conception Bay South, Clarenville, Labrador City and Wabush. These new sites will be in addition to the eight sites which are currently automated � St. John�s (three libraries), Mount Pearl, Gander, Carmanville, Corner Brook and Stephenville.

"To succeed, we need to be a province of information seekers and that information can be found at the library. I encourage everyone from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to L�Anse-au-Loup, and from Torbay to Rocky Harbour to take advantage of the extended hours, check out their local library, and rediscover everything our libraries have to offer," said Minister Burke.

A listing of additional hours allocated can be found at www.nlpubliclibraries.ca.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 04 689-2624

Libraries in the following communities will see an increase in the hours of operation.

The Newfoundland and Labrador library system is one of only two truly provincial library systems in Canada. There are 96 libraries throughout the province which serve 140,000 clients yearly. Approximately 150,000 individuals are registered as library patrons, which represents 34 per cent of the population and last year, 1.5 million library items were circulated. More than 3,000 library programs were offered with 36,000 people participating.

The additional funding of $250,000 will also create an opportunity to expand library initiatives such as summer reading programs, Books for Babies, author readings and computer training. This is the first time funding has been provided to extend the hours of operation for provincial libraries since 1984.

2006 05 12                            11:10 a.m.