That the Library Board receive the report on the OLA/FOPL 2021 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission;
And that the Library Board endorses the OLA/FOPL 2021 Ontario Pre-Budget Submission and supports the requests, specifically:
- A targeted enhancement of provincial funding through the Public Libraries Operating Grant (PLOG) to offset lost revenues from implementing fines-free policies and help public libraries make these policies permanent. This investment would help to break down barriers to access for low-income Ontarians.
- Subject to the above increase, maintain provincial funding for Ontario’s public libraries at current levels and work with municipalities to prevent unsustainable cuts to public library funding.
- Provide critical e-learning support and fair access to modern, digital resources for all Ontario public libraries through a $4.7 million annual investment to support the establishment of an Ontario Digital Public Library, thereby leveraging the province’s significant purchasing power to give all Ontarians access to a common set of high-quality e-learning & online resources and more e-books
And That Library staff draft a Resolution to seek the Town of Newmarket Council's endorsement of the OLA/FOPL 2021 Pre-Budget Submission
And That Library staff draft a letter to the Newmarket/Aurora Member of Parliament advising of the endorsement of the OLA/FOPL 2021 Pre-Budget Submission with a copy sent to the Minister, Tourism, Culture and Sport.