John Dixon Public Library officially open for business

Near North District School Board
Media Release

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Today, at 11:00 a.m., the Near North District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, the Town of Mattawa and representatives of the John Dixon Public Library joined together to celebrate the official grand opening of the John Dixon Public Library in Mattawa. The Town of Mattawa received a $75,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation toward the renovation of a section of Ecole Secondaire F.J. McElligott Secondary School that will house the John Dixon Public Library.

Also on hand to celebrate the official opening of the library were the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Nipissing MPP Monique Smith, Canadore College, Contact North and many community partners.

Terry Blair, Principal of ES F.J. McElligott Secondary School said "Today marks the culmination of over ten years of hard work on the part of many committed partners to make the dream of a joint library in Mattawa a reality. For ES FJ McElligott SS, this important partnership means that we further become the educational hub of the community, as library services are consolidated for all levels of students at the four schools in the area and for patrons, as well as current and future programs of Canadore College and Contact North are embedded in our school."

Specifically, the funds have been used to ensure library's new home is more accessible for everyone in the community by reducing physical barriers. In addition, the funds have allowed the library's hours of operation to increase by an additional 17.5 hours per week.

"We are very proud of our new location and what it will mean to our patrons." said Germaine Lafreniare, Chair of the John Dixon Public Library. "The John Dixon Public Library is known for its wonderful programs for the public and is looking forward to continuing and expanding our services.

"The partnership between the John Dixon Public Library and the F. J. McElligott Secondary School is an example of a modern day model demonstrating a win/win relationship between two groups by providing a "state of the art" facility for the Public Library within the existing walls of the High School. In turn, it makes the High School a stronger entity in the community by adding to its diversity" stated Mayor of Mattawa Dean Backer.

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Photo provided by NNDSB