Libraries prepare to celebrate First Nations Public Library Week in Ontario September 29 to October 5, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Libraries prepare to celebrate First Nations Public Library Week in Ontario

SUDBURY, ONTARIO (September 23, 2019) – The theme for the 19^th annual First Nations Public Library Week (FNPLW) celebration is Revitalizing Indigenous Languages. Libraries across the Province of Ontario will be celebrating First Nation public library services, programs, authors, and patrons from September 29 to October 5, 2019.

The FNPLW launch is taking place in Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point First Nation Public Library on September 30, 2019. To learn more about how you can participate in First Nations Public Library Week visit www.fnplw.olsn.ca.

According to the 2018 Ontario Public Library Statistics, there were 47 First Nation public libraries with 18,365 active cardholders who visited the library 268,450 times last year. Libraries also hosted 4,444 public programs which 42,331 people attended.

Deanna Nebenionquit, First Nations Capacity Building Advisor with Ontario Library Service – North works with First Nation public librarians in Northern Ontario. “First Nation public libraries offer free services to patrons ranging from free internet access to music lessons, Indigenous language resources to homework help. But most of all, public libraries offer a safe place to visit with your community and access information. First Nations Public Library Week is intended to celebrate the work of First Nation public librarians who operate these community hubs. In honour of the Revitalizing Indigenous Languages theme, I encourage members of the public visit their local public library and say miigwetch or niá:wen to the librarian during First Nations Public Library Week.”

First Nations Public Library Week is made possible with the support of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ontario Library Service – North, Southern Ontario Library Service, and the Ontario Library Association.  The 2019 FNPLW Planning Committee members are Randy Penasse (Nipissing Kendaaswin), Linda Lou Classens (Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library), Derekica Snake (Delaware First Nation Public Library), and Deanna Nebenionquit (Ontario Library Service – North).

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