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Government supports greater access to library resourcesApr 26, 2013 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- A one-time $400,000 grant from the Alberta Government will help public libraries with the costs of sharing resources. The one-time funding to the 16 key library access points in the provincewide public library network will help offset operational costs, such as staffing, technology, and courier distribution, as resource-sharing expands across the province. "The funding helps support what libraries are already doing. We want to put more books and resources in the hands of families and other library users no matter where they live in the province," said Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs. "By extending enhanced funds for these key centres in the province's resource-sharing model, we are strengthening the entire network of Alberta's public libraries." The grant provides $25,000 each to the Edmonton Public Library, Calgary Public Library, the seven regional library systems ; Chinook Arch; Marigold; Northern Lights; Parkland; Peace; Shortgrass; and Yellowhead, and the public libraries of Strathcona County, St. Albert, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. "Alberta's public library sector is very collaborative, and we are on the verge of many new opportunities to expand library service in Alberta," said Ron Sheppard, Director of the Parkland Regional Library. "This grant will help us cover costs as we share our resources with colleagues and library users in other communities across the province." The network currently makes available over 40 million print and digital resources across 316 library access points to offer a greater variety of materials through municipal libraries. The grant was made available with funds from the 2012-13 fiscal budget. Public libraries help build strong communities - they engage, inspire and inform citizens. The Alberta Government is demonstrating its commitment to public libraries through stable funding and clear policies to support long-term success of Alberta's provincial public library network. In addition to the resource-sharing grant, Budget 2013 provides more than $31 million to support the network. The Resource Sharing Operational Policy for Public Libraries and the Collaborative Library Policy were recently adopted to enable greater collaboration. Our government was elected to keep building Alberta, to live within its means and to fight to open new markets for Alberta's resources. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for. Media inquiries may be directed to: Cameron Traynor Communications Director Alberta Municipal Affairs 780-427-8862 Twitter: @ABMuniAffairs To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Meredith Bratland Communications Coordinator Parkland Regional Library 403-782-3850 [email protected] Twitter: @PrlLibrary Website: www.prl.ab.ca ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.com on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected]. |