Winnipeg Public Library Board

"I strongly believe in library and library services. I can relate this to my experience when I was a new immigrant in Canada. The library provided me with required reading material, community contacts and various services that assisted me in settling well. We may be moving towards online web reading, however, the library not only provides a collection of books to enhance our knowledge but also provides a neutral atmosphere and safe workplace for everyone, including the students. I am honoured to serve on the Library Board."

"I've been enjoying and exploring libraries since I was old enough to turn a page. When I was in high school, I became my hometown library board's first youth trustee to engage more young people with their library. I hope now to help continue to maintain Winnipeg libraries' vital role in bringing people in their communities closer together, and provide an unlimited source of knowledge and entertainment."

"I am an extensive user of the Winnipeg Public Libraries system, having borrowed and read dozens of books over the past few years that I would not otherwise have had access to. My relationship with WPL goes back to the late-1960s, when I would spend hours at the Windsor Park Library researching school projects or just reading for pleasure. I still enjoy the feel of a book in my hands, and I continue to find relevance and entertainment in classic novels that were published more than 200 years ago. I believe in the importance of public libraries to a community, and I joined the WPL Board as a way to contribute their ongoing success."

"I have always enjoyed reading and going to the library. To me, the library was, and still is a place to learn and discover insights about ourselves and others. Library programming and services are excellent opportunities to engage in discussions and to gain cultural understanding and perspectives about our neighbourhood, city, province and world. To those from past generations who encouraged my love for reading, my hope is to do the same for the next generation!"

"As a self-described book worm, my parents fostered my love of reading, but libraries gave me a sense of independence and freedom. With a library card, so much was made available to me. The library was a place of discovery; from recipe and 'how-to' books to learn new skills to discovering favourite authors and series, then reading everything I could get my hands on. Even simply wandering through the stacks, I came across things that would change my life going forward.

The library has been with me through many stages of life – the summer reading program as a kid, borrowing more movies, music and graphic novels as a teen, and downloading audio books, eBooks and magazines to take on vacation as an adult.

My hope is that my involvement with the library can help to promote all the many resources and programs I'm still discovering that are open to all Winnipeggers. The Maker Lab is one of the exciting new options: having everything from sewing machines and 3D printers, to musical instruments and recording equipment, as well as staff who can teach you how to use them…having such resources available for everyone in the larger community to access is amazing and holds so much opportunity."

"I was 6 years old when my father took me to St. John's Library in Winnipeg's North End. I fell in love with a magical space that day. More than sixty years later, I'm a retired archivist and libraries are still magical spaces - much more than shelves of books. I see Winnipeg's libraries as a kind of village square: where newcomers gain the tools to make a new place in the world; where those without access to technology can enter the information universe; where young and old can share a safe and welcoming space; where all can visit the past and future and journey to real or imagined places; where all can learn new skills; where all can see the world through the eyes of another.

In a culture saturated in information, it's hard to separate the signal of real information from the noise of opinion or deception. In Winnipeg's libraries I've found the tools to hear the signal amid the noise. From information, we build knowledge. Libraries offer knowledge with open hands, and are spaces of social, cultural, and economic equity. For these reasons, I am honoured to serve on the Winnipeg Public Library Advisory Board. "

"Words and ideas, music, workshops, seminars and more; all available at the library to tantalize one's curiosity and aid one's exploration. An inviting space, either physical or virtual where it is possible to educate, satisfy one's information needs, enhance personal development, study or just plain relax! And it is free to everyone. What a lovely way to connect diverse communities.

The ability to read, find information and use a computer are essential literacy skills in today's world and have certainly been fundamental during my own journey, including 17 years of post-secondary education and five distinct career paths. My love of books and learning started with bedtime stories and just kept growing through services provided by a weekly Bookmobile bus, trips to a Library proper, and now, including library & information services online.

I am thrilled to be part of the Public Library Board, and whole-heartedly support the concept that public libraries offer indispensable services to communities."

"Library plays an important role in the society as a gateway to knowledge and culture. It is a place where the mind and good habits are developed.

As a researcher, I have greatly benefited from the services, support and resources the library provides, including access to a larger volume of information in a more technological dependent society."

"Libraries are at the crossroads of knowing; it's where imagination, discovery, safe spaces, awe, and inspiration converge. Libraries were part of my life since I was little, and part of my children's lives. To walk to a library to sign out a book, read a magazine, attend a free workshop, bring a child to story time, get information on the community resources, use a computer; all this contributes to a better quality of life. I am honoured to be part of the Winnipeg Public Library Board and to serve the community."

"As a scientist, the library is always an integral part to enhance my knowledge. Past two years during my service in City Centre LAC, I appreciated that our public libraries providing our society more than accessing knowledge via conventional way but becoming more and more welcoming and inviting place through various programmes and events. With technological advancement, more teenagers and kids are now encouraged to visit our libraries and respect library resources. Libraries definitely play a vital role for healthy society and I am proud of our libraries and glad to serve as library board member."

"Past, present and future - public libraries have been and continue to be an integral and important part of my life. As a child I was an avid reader and the public library was a fabulous source of reading material. As a teenager, there were even more books to read - and a part-time job as a Library Page. During my university years, there was endless amounts of time in university libraries in search of information and a quiet place to study. Now in my retirement years, the public library allows me to explore books, magazines and DVDs from a wide variety of genres - all with my free library card.

In addition to reading materials, library branches at home and when I travel, offer so much more to me and to the community - a quiet and safe place to read, to study, to learn and to connect with the world through the internet and computers.

I am excited to become a member of the Winnipeg Public Library Board and to have the opportunity to contribute to the continuing relevance of public libraries to the residents of Winnipeg. "

"I'm a life-long library user; a Winnipeg Public Library card in my own name was an early prized possession of mine! I have fond childhood memories of going through the stacks in search of books on every imaginable topic, and carrying out a large stack with me after each visit.

Today, as an academic, I depend on libraries for research and teaching resources, writing space, educational events and speakers -- and fiction for de-stressing, too! During these pandemic times, the library's e-book collection has become a particularly valued resource to me.

As a disabled person, I am especially interested in how libraries can be made more accessible to disabled users and others whose physical, sensory, and mental needs have not always been fully met. And as a settler committed to reconciliation, I also want to see Winnipeg's libraries become leading spaces of Indigenous knowledge-sharing and valued places of care and support for Indigenous members of our community."

"Our public libraries contribute by connecting Manitobans with the knowledge and technology required to compete in our information society."