Barrie Public Library Receives Boost to Go Beyond Library Walls
BPL has received just over $72,000
The Barrie Public Library (BPL) is proud to be a recipient of the Community Foundations of Canada’s grant for the Healthy Communities Initiative.
The $31 million investment from the Government of Canada will support communities as they adapt public spaces to respond to the new realities of COVID-19.
The Barrie Public Library will receive a total of $72,128 for its BPL On the Go mobile outreach initiative.
“We are eager to connect with the community in exciting new ways, reach new members, and expand services,” said Sandra Sydor, Manager of Community Engagement. “From Storytimes in the park to computer workshops at seniors residences, we want to support our growing community.”
Lauren Jessop, CEO at the Barrie Public Library, said after two years of a global pandemic, they recognize that outreach will require a new approach to meet people in their neighbourhoods with safe activities that slowly build back social interactions.
“We want to extend our sincere appreciation to the Barrie Community Foundation and Community Foundations of Canada in seeing the value in our BPL On the Go initiative and the impact it will have on our community,” Jessop said.
The Barrie Community Foundation is a public foundation that builds and manages endowment funds to support charitable activities in Barrie and area. It is one of 191 community foundations throughout Canada that reviewed grant submissions for the Healthy Community Initiative.
“This project from the library responds to the pandemic by being more accessible to everyone. People need the library, so the library is going to them – in parks, seniors’ residences – where the people are. What a great way to be a bigger part of our community. Our goal at Barrie Community Foundation is for everyone to belong – this is it,” says Marshall Green, Chair of the Barrie Community Foundation.
