The Callander Public Library is the winner of the prestigious Canadian Federation of University Women’s National Library award, beating out 11 other organizations,to take home the $4,000 prize.
“The award was created to promote literacy and learning, supporting creative program innovation, encouraging community development and evolvement, and advocating for the Canada library system,” explained Brenda Robertson past-president CFUW North Bay, during a cheque presentation at the library.
The entry was judged as ‘the project with the greatest chance of success.’
“They (judges)were very impressed with the detailed account and the description of the library and the programming for everything from toddlers on up to the youth. And of course the budget,” said Robertson.
“The CFUW committee takes applications from a variety of sources. It could be youth organizations, community-based organizations, resource centres, anything from women’s prisons to school libraries.”
“The local Canadian Federation of University Women had to invite us to apply for this application, so they actually sponsored us for it, and we’re grateful they did,” said Helen McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer for the Callander Public Library.
“One thing that they (the selection committee) did say why they thought that we deserved the application was that we had a great budget. They believed in all of the things we wanted to do. They really liked what we were going to purchase for the library for the different programs, the Raising Readers program, our TD Summer Reading program and our toddler program,” said McDonnell.
The money will be used to purchase activity items such as small instruments for the toddler program, in addition to activity items for the Raising Readers program.
“We also do events for our TD Summer Reading Program, so we’ll be able to do things like have Science North come in.”
The library has 1,700 members, many of them young children.
This is the first time in its history that CFUW North Bay has nominated a candidate for this award.
