The Province of Ontario has recognized Brampton Library with the 2019 Minister’s Award for Innovation in the Large Library category. The award was given to Brampton Libary in part for its initiative of removing fines from children’s materials.
The Honourable Lisa McLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries presented the award to Brampton Library at the recent Ontario Library Association Super Conference in Toronto.
“We are absolutely delighted. Fines on children’s materials are a barrier to access at the most fundamental level,” says Susan Bartoletta, Interim CEO of Brampton Library. “Our mandate is to be free and equitable, especially in a city where more than half our population is newcomers and there is a large low-income population. More than anything, we want our customers to continue to use our services and to keep coming back.”
This marks the third time Brampton Library the first time has won an award like this. In January 2016, Brampton Library won the Angus Mowat Award for Excellence in Public Library Service for its Newcomer Bus Tour, in partnership with Brampton Transit and the City of Brampton. Also, in July 2019, Brampton Library received the OLA New Library Building Award for its brand new Springdale Branch.
