Repairs to the public library in Labrador City will proceed with the approval of $300,000 in funding from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, announced today that funding has been approved to address capital maintenance issues which forced the closure of the library in late March.

"I am pleased we are able to make this emergency funding available and begin remediation of the problems," said Minister Burke. "We want all of our 96 public libraries to be safe and healthy environments. I am confident with this funding now in place, work will begin shortly on repairs to the building, and patrons will once again enjoy the many services the library offers."

Work to be carried out on the building includes sewage system and floor repairs, exterior grading, installation of foundation insulation for frost protection and repairs to exterior walls and windows.

Jim Baker, MHA for the District of Labrador West, is delighted the project is moving ahead. "The library is an important service that many people in Labrador West enjoy. I am pleased the Provincial Government has responded so quickly to the board�s request for emergency funding and I look forward to the library re-opening in the not-too-distant future."

Minister Burke pointed out that libraries throughout the province are improving services with increased funding allocated by the Provincial Government in the past two years. "Budget 2006 provided an additional $250,000 for a new library management system and to increase hours of operation at 47 libraries," said Minister Burke. "This year, $385,000 in additional funding is being provided to improve various aspects of library services. We recognize that libraries are an integral part of the education system and the economic and social success of our province. An investment in libraries is an investment in rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

Annual funding for the provincial library system is now $9.3 million. Newfoundland and Labrador has more provincial libraries per capita than any other province in Canada, with 85 per cent of the population having direct access to a library.

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Media contact:
Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

2007 07 31                                                     10:15 A.M.