Oshawa Library Workers Celebrate 150 Years

One week before voters across Ontario go to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors and school board trustees, library workers in Oshawa took time today to urge people to love their libraries, and the people who breathe life into them.

“I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate Public Libraries Week in Ontario than here in Oshawa, where people have been using libraries for more than 150 years,” said CUPEOntario Secretary-Treasurer Candace Rennick, who joined with members of Local 960 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 960) in front of the Oshawa Public Library’s Bagot Street branch.

“Libraries are vital to healthy, functioning communities. Indeed, good libraries are indicators of a community’s well-being,” she added.

The celebration and information session outside the Bagot Street branch coincided with National Public Library Month and Ontario Public Library Week. The event was organized by CUPE 960 and CUPE Ontario’s Library Workers’ Committee.

Workers handed out postcards and bookmarks containing information about the history of public libraries in Ontario, as well as bags of candy to children who attended.

“People love their libraries, and people who love libraries love to vote,” said Tiffany Balducci, president of CUPE 960.

“That’s why we feel that public services, like libraries, ought to be at the top of peoples’ minds when they go to cast their ballots on Monday in the Municipal Election,” she added.

CUPE 960 represents 80 workers at the Oshawa Public Library.