STAFF WRITER
In recognition of excellence, Mississippi Mills Public Library (MMPL) chief administrative officer Christine Row, and the library itself received prestigious provincial awards at the Ontario Library Association Super Conference 2024, held in Toronto in January.
Row was honored with the W.J. Robertson Medallion for Public Librarian of the Year, a distinction awarded to recognize outstanding leadership in the library profession. In her acceptance speech, Row highlighted the pivotal role libraries played during the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, evolving into essential community hubs. She emphasized the library’s role in addressing learning loss among children, providing connectivity for seniors, and fostering community engagement.
MMPL also received the Angus Mowat Award of Excellence for its ground-breaking Lanark County Libraries’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) program targeting youth aged eight to 17. This collaborative initiative, initially recognized with the 2023 Lanark County Award of Excellence, garnered provincial acknowledgment for its innovative approach. Thanks to generous funding, the STEM workshops will continue across all Lanark County libraries throughout the summer of 2024.
MMPL achieved its latest Provincial Certificate of Accreditation, making it one of only 36 libraries out of approximately 260 in Ontario to meet the rigorous standards set by the Ontario Public Library Guidelines Monitoring and Accreditation Council. This accreditation underscores MMPL’s commitment to providing exemplary services to its community.
Mississippi Mills Public Library operates branches in Almonte and Pakenham, offering a wide range of resources, programs, and services. Community members can access the library’s website, catalogue, and current programs at www.missmillslibrary.com, and stay updated through the library’s e-newsletter and Facebook page.
