April 25, 2003

Continuing summer reading programs for children, computer training and literacy programming, and maintaining adequate reading materials are among the essential services that will benefit from $2.9 million for Manitoba’s rural and northern public libraries.

Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson will speak to students about the announcement this afternoon at the Youth Town Hall meeting in the UCT Pavilion at the Keystone Centre.

"This is the first funding increase to rural and northern libraries in almost a decade, and our continued support is essential to the success of our libraries and our communities," said Robinson. "Libraries are important places for people to access books and print information, but they are also community gathering spots providing audio, video and Internet access to thousands of Manitobans every year."

Robinson noted that the 13 per cent increase in funding will go towards book purchasing programs and general library services.

Manitoba has 87 rural and northern libraries with eight located in Northern Manitoba. Since 1999, four new libraries have been established in the rural municipalities of Rhineland, Kelsey and Victoria Beach, and the Town of Plum Coulee.

Library collections include books, magazines, newspapers, compact discs, cassettes, videos, multi-media kits, large print books, Braille books and multilingual materials. The minister noted that libraries provide rural communities with many other valuable services, too.

"Libraries provide important services that are a vital for the quality of life for rural residents. In addition to books, libraries offer community events, summer reading programs for children, computer training and literacy programming," said Robinson. "Libraries promote free thinking and creativity while encouraging life-long learning--good habits that benefit our neighbourhoods and unite our rural and northern communities."

Manitoba public libraries serve over 920,000 Manitobans each year, with collections that hold over four million items in over 30 languages. In 2001, more than 8.47 million items were lent to Manitobans.

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