MARKHAM, ON – Public library workers in Markham and New Tecumseth, members of Local 905 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and their supporters, are celebrating Ontario Public Library Week with the message that great libraries depend on great workers.
“We’re very proud of the relationship we have developed with our patrons in the community. Our residents love their libraries and their library workers,” said Kathy Coates, Vice Chair of CUPE’s library workers coordinating committee and a member of Local 905.
Today, library workers and supporters will hand out buttons and postcards at libraries in Markham and New Tecumseth to commemorate Public Library Week, which began October 14th and runs through October 20th.
Since 1985, Public Library Week has highlighted the vital contributions that public libraries make towards enhancing the quality of life for residents in the communities they serve. Across the province, CUPE library workers are marking the week with celebrations scheduled in ten different communities.
Public Library Week is also an important opportunity to raise awareness about the need to ensure libraries and library workers have the requisite resources and tools to serve their communities, while providing important services and good jobs, said Coates.
“Libraries provide a vital service in our communities – having a library close by can turn your neighbourhood from a good place to live to a great place to live. We proudly help to make libraries public spaces that welcome any and all. The key ingredient to offering great library service is the people who work in them, and so we are paying tribute to library workers in Ontario,” she said.
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For information, please contact:
Kathy Coates, Vice Chair of CUPE library workers coordinating committee, 905-967-0823
Andrea Addario, CUPE Communications, 416-738-4329
