News Releases

Manitoba Invests Over $700,000 to Support Rural Libraries, Improve Services and Accessibility

THOMPSON—As part of Budget 2021, the Manitoba government is providing $769,000 to support rural public libraries and library services across the province, Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox announced here today at the Thompson Public Library.

“Manitoba libraries are important community hubs and this new investment recognizes their work in encouraging lifelong literacy, providing reading and educational opportunities and supporting the arts,” said Cox. “Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to improve services, resources and access for all members of the community. This new financial support will help ensure residents from all walks of life have access to information, services and the Internet, allowing them to broaden their knowledge and expand their horizons through reading, research and community activities.”

New investments as part of Budget 2021 include:

• a new $600,000 investment to be distributed to rural public libraries across the province, based on a per capita funding formula;
• $100,000 towards sector development to support the long-term stability and sustainability of the sector; and
• $69,000 to ensure all Manitoba library systems have access to resources and services through the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA), a non-profit that offers library content for people with print disabilities.

The new rural public library investment includes $19,560 in financial support to the Thompson Public Library.

“We would like to thank the province for the additional funding being provided to public libraries in Manitoba,” said Cheryl Davies, administrator, Thompson Public Library. “Libraries are a hub in a community. They are a place available equally to everyone, with access to knowledge, physical and digital resources and space to study, read or meet with others. Thank you for recognizing the value of community libraries and their role in improving lives.”

The minister noted there are an estimated 125,000 people with print disabilities living in Manitoba.

“Offering centralized support for CELA means there will be a consistent standard of accessible services in all library systems in Manitoba,” said Cox. “This initiative also supports our mandate to sustain our network of libraries as centres of learning and community hubs, now and well into the future.”