On May 2nd, MPP John Yakabuski met with the team at Township of South Algonquin Public Library-Madawaska Branch, to hear about the impact of a $13,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2022. The grant was used to purchase Chromebooks, C-Pen Readers, Blue Yeti Microphones, and ring lights. The project was completed in April and will give people in the community improved access to technology at the library for years to come. Above from left: Councillor Joan Kuiack, Councillor Joe Florent, MPP John Yakabuski, CEO/ Head Librarian Charlene Alexander, Councillor Laura Siydock. Photo submitted.
“This $13,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant to the Township of South Algonquin, specifically to the library, will enhance the available services by the purchasing of tablets, reader pens and microphones. These newly acquired items will certainly allow this rural community’s residents greater local access to newer technology. My sincere thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for this grant,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.
In addition to the purchase of equipment, a user survey was administered in 2022, a Chromebook handbook was created, and the library is in process of setting up a children’s coding program that will utilize the Chromebooks. C-Pen readers are assistive devices that are portable text-to-speech pen scanners. The microphones and ring lights are being made available for creating pod casts and video recordings.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Charlene Alexander, CEO/Head Librarian. “This grant has allowed the library to purchase loanable technology, to improve residents access to Chromebooks and assistive devices that otherwise would not have been possible. We also want to congratulate the Ontario Trillium Foundation on 40 years of granting and building healthy and vibrant communities across the province.”
The mission of the Township of South Algonquin Public Library is to provide comprehensive services to the highest degree possible within available resources. Our underlying values are Responsiveness to users, Accessible to all users, supporting Intellectual freedom for users and providing Responsible governance.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Alexander,C.,Township of South Algonquin Public Library(2023,May12) $13,000 OTF Grant Gives Library Loanable Technology [media release]
