Friends of Library celebrate 25th anniversary
Mississauga News
By Chris Clay
MISSISSAUGA — For 25 years, the Friends of the
Mississauga Library System has worked to enhance
Mississauga’s libraries and improve literacy among its
residents.
Current president Michael Jones first joined the charitable
organization’s executive since 1995. He had worked as a
librarian with the Mississauga Library System for a number
of years but, after changing careers, he wanted to stay
involved in some capacity.
The group’s top priority is to enhance the city’s 18 libraries.
To do so, the group holds a number of book sales
throughout the year to raise much-needed dollars that they
pump back into the libraries.
“The (Mississauga Library System) will come to us from time to time about an additional program
or service that doesn’t fit into their budget and we will fundraise for it,” said Jones.
They also work hard to promote literacy for all residents and also support those looking to work
professionally in libraries by presenting a bursary as part of the Jim Wilde Library Education
Award.
“Literacy is so important because, whether you have printed books or digital (material), you have
to be literate to read them,” said Jones. “Literacy improves lives. It’s incredibly important to
support it.”
To help celebrate the group’s quarter-century mark, the organization will be at the Streetsville
Bread and Honey Festival on Saturday (June 7). They will have a booth there and will hand out tshirts and books as well as sharing information about who they are and what they do, while also
signing up new members.
The organization, which has about 60 members, has raised money for a number of
enhancements to the local libraries residents might not be aware of, including assistive
technology for visually-impaired patrons, and also bus trips that bring elementary school students
for a tour of their local library.They also provide money for some little touches, such as fireplaces,
at the libraries. Down at the Frank McKechnie Library, the Friends funded a statue in
McKechnie’s honour. They also fund reading programs for children.
Over the years, Jones has witnessed a number of changes at the libraries. As Mississauga
continues to become more and more ethnically diverse, the Friends have worked to ensure all
members of the community can find something of value when they pop by a library by providing
material in a number of different languages.But, he’s also noticed many other changes, noting
more and more library branches have been added, then expanded, over the years to keep up
with the city’s growing population.
One thing that might surprise some is just how relevant libraries remain to their neighbourhoods.
Jones said the Central Library is busy a great deal of the time, filled with people from all
demographics and ages, taking advantage of the facility.Without the Friends, many
enhancements to the libraries simply wouldn’t exist, said Jones, adding the organization plans to
continue to play an important role for residents and the library system for years to come.