McKellar Public Library’s revitalization project is getting this year’s Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund (LEAF).
Ontario-based company Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group’s initiative announced its recipients for this year’s grant, given to local community-led and focused projects.
Lynne Aylsworth, a member of the library’s board, says the project dubbed “creating our future together” will include a better kids’ section with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) kits for learning, more books, an educational computer for special needs children and more storage space.
“We’re making a Makerspace and hoping to purchase a 3D printer and get a Cricut in there. We’re going to beef up our lending library so It’s not just lending books, but also lending out small tools like gardening tools and Radon detectors to detect whether there’s CO2 and other gases in your house,” she says.
Aylsworth says the library has had a huge response from the community adding they can’t thank the community enough for the support.
According to the library’s strategic plan for the project, the Children’s Department will receive some significant improvements with all the children’s books moved into the children’s room. Due to space issues, some are currently housed in the adult room.
“We are trying to stay with the times, with the technology on how it’s evolving in our world and we’re trying to keep the residents in our community informed. Instead of having to drive 20 minutes to Parry Sound to the library, which is fantastic as well, we’re bringing all the newer and up-to-date computers and books to our library,” she says.
Aylsworth says the library asked for $49,835.88, with the limit for funding being $50,000. She says the money will go towards purchasing the new equipment as well as some services required to finish the work like a carpenter and electrician.
Aylsworth says the board is meeting in early January to get started adding the project will kick off as soon as possible.
“As soon as we can get the contractors in, get our quotes and get them in to start. It depends on their schedule. And then you have two years to complete your project according to the rules and regulations of the grant,” she says.
McKellar Library’s project was one of 11 recipients of the 2023 LEAF grant through the Commonwel Initiative, chosen out of a total of 77 applications.