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Okanagan, Boundary libraries get COVID relief cash

Okanagan Regional Library will collect more than $170,000
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Okanagan Regional Library branches will receive more than $170,000 in provincial government funds for COVID relief and recovery. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon-Monashee New Democrat MLAs Harwinder Sandhu and Roly Russell say people will see improvements at their local public libraries, including expanded digital collections and internet access, upgraded spaces and programming, and improved air circulation thanks to new COVID-19 relief and recovery funding for libraries.

A total of $8 million in COVID-19 relief and recovery funding is being distributed between 71 public libraries, six library federations and three library service partners in B.C. That includes $172,407.12 for the Okanagan Regional Library, and more than $85,000 for three public branches in Grand Forks, Greenwood and Midway.

“As a parent, I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who works to make our libraries vibrant and accessible places for kids to learn,” said Sandhu, MLA for Vernon-Monashee. “Libraries are true pillars in our communities. Last summer my local library even stepped in to provide a safe and cooler place for people during the heat dome. I am glad that this funding will allow libraries in Vernon and across the Okanagan to improve the services that we all enjoy.”

Libraries can use this new funding to enhance services for people and fill gaps created by the pandemic. This may include adapting their physical spaces, delivering computer and virtual technology training, and developing programs that help people build deeper social and community connections.

“Local libraries are vital to rural communities – they serve as gathering places, as skills-building centres, and help us build strong communities,” said Russell, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen. “In conversations with leaders from our rural libraries, they made it clear they need some more support given everything they do and have been through. This funding will help support our libraries to adapt and keep providing the vital community service people want and need.”

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