The Ontario government said Tuesday it is investing up to $582,000 in the province’s public libraries this year through the Internet Connectivity Grant program to provide Ontario residents with internet access at their local library.
The funding increases the support provided to Ontario’s public libraries last year by $122,000, “enabling up to 155 eligible public libraries that serve communities of 20,000 or less — in particular, those in small, rural and First Nation communities — to be fully reimbursed for the costs of providing publicly accessible internet access,” a government press release says.
“Public libraries are a critical part of the infrastructure that makes our communities thrive,” Neil Lumsden, Ontario minister of tourism, culture and sport, said in a statement. “This increased investment in public libraries will ensure people across the province have reliable access to the digital resources and in-demand services that they require to learn, grow and thrive.”
Since 2018, the Internet Connectivity Grant program has provided the province’s public libraries with more than $3 million to ensure Ontarians have reliable access to the internet. Many library users rely on public internet access for online tutoring and homework assistance, job training resources, learning or improving their language skills, and building and maintaining social connections, the release says.
“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is more critical than ever in an increasingly digital world and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Michelle Arbuckle, executive director of the Ontario Library Association. “With more services, resources and businesses shifting to virtual platforms, the Ontario government’s enhanced investment in the Internet Connectivity program will support public libraries by helping to make high-speed internet and digital resources accessible for all Ontarians.”
In 2020-21, the Ontario government provided $4.85 million through the Connecting Public Libraries initiative to upgrade broadband at approximately 55 library branches in unserved and underserved communities across the province. To date, 20 sites have received broadband upgrades, according to the press release.
In 2023-24, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport committed to maintaining the government’s $27 million in annual funding to the public library sector, and to working with Ontario’s libraries to ensure services are delivered in the most efficient and effective ways possible, the release says.
