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Libraries are our community hubs

Originally published in the North Renfrew Times November 21, 2018



Community Hubs - by Doug Tennant

A healthy local community is not built just upon an efficient and well-equipped hospital. Hospitals are important to a community as are fire halls, and police and paramedic stations. We also need a well-oiled and functioning municipal government and a vibrant commercial and industrial base upon which our residents can depend for jobs. However, the most important cornerstone for a healthy and stable community is the local public library.

Andrew Carnegie knew the value of a free public library for a healthy community and he showed it by funding the building of over 2500 local libraries in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The closest Carnegie library to North Renfrew is in Pembroke, which was built in 1907 with a grant from Mr. Carnegie.

We have four public libraries in North Renfrew offering an amazing spectrum of services for free to our residents. If you live in North Renfrew you can visit any of the four locations and utilise the services offered.

Libraries are welcoming and safe places to help learn English as a second language. Libraries are good for business enabling residents and visitors alike the opportunity to access local information about employment opportunities. Residents can learn how to use the latest information technology equipment at a library. Libraries can help small business owners with online and in-person resources, including information about financial management, contract opportunities, market information and business plans.

Libraries are still the best place to access free print and digital books, magazines, service manuals for your snowblower or car and free museum passes for the entire family. Libraries provide after school activities for elementary school children and daytime programs for parents and toddlers. They bring people together and help build strong, healthy communities through the exchange of ideas and information.

Libraries level the community playing field for all residents, regardless of income, by providing free internet services. Not only can anyone search for jobs and resume assistance, you can also apply for post-secondary school programs, access on-line government services and become more connected with your neighbours locally and around the world.

Our libraries are the hubs of our communities. They enable us to meet together, plan community events, and participate and be educated through programming and other activities. Libraries are still the most reliable source to access facts and trustworthy information in a world increasingly faced with ‘fake news’.
Libraries operate with paid and volunteer staff and patrons can expect top notch professional service to be able to borrow materials from far and wide through the inter-library loan service.

Check out all four of your local free public library locations. The Canadian Public Library Month tag line advises that “A visit will get you thinking!”

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