NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007EDU0105-000913
July 13, 2007
Ministry of Education
PRINCE GEORGE – The Province will provide over $88,000 to help North Central libraries develop the fourth Library Federation in B.C. and improve library services throughout the North Central region, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today.
“Through the federation, libraries work together to share resources and provide high-quality programs and services,” said Bond. “This will encourage and enable more people in the North Central area to take advantage of their community libraries.”
The North Central Library Federation includes libraries from Valemount to Burns Lake and 100 Mile House to Mackenzie. The participating libraries will work with the Ministry of Education to accomplish four main goals:
· Implement state-of-the-art technologies
· Develop and share special collections
· Develop group purchasing agreements, and
· Provide continuing education opportunities for staff and trustees
“We are committed to creating a dynamic library system,” said Elaine Wiebe, North Central Library Federation Steering Committee member. “This new federation of libraries will be beneficial to all communities in the north central region.”
There are currently three other library federations in B.C., including the Public Library InterLINK, the Kootenay Library Federation and the North Coast Library Federation.
“Library Federations bring ideas together and promote the development and expansion of valuable literacy programs across the province,” said Bond. “Libraries working in partnership will enhance B.C.’s capacity to reach its goal of being the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent.”
The agreement to create the North Central Library Federation was signed by all 10 public library boards in the region. Library representatives will meet this summer and fall to continue the development of the new federation.
1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:
Lara Perzoff
Public Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education
250 356-5963 250 920-9040 (Cell)
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