Halton Hills Public Library Awarded Francophone Grant

HALTON HILLS, ON/ February 4, 2021 – The Halton Hills Public Library is one of 30 organizations to be awarded the 2020-21 Francophone Community Grant from the Government of Ontario. The Francophone Community Grants Program of Ontario (Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Cultural Industries (Ministère des Industries du Patrimoine, du Sport, du Tourisme et de la Culture)) helps support the vitality of the Franco-Ontarian community, with a focus on promoting the French language, as well as the community's socio-economic development in Ontario. It aims to improve front-line services and strengthen the capacity of organizations to provide services in French. To connect with the Francophone community – French is the second most spoken language in Halton Hills – Halton Hills Public Library applied for the grant to offer and increase French programming and literacy. As part of this community connection, the Library partnered with the Helson Gallery, which is expanding Francophone programming thanks to this funding. The Library also hired a bilingual Library Associate to offer French programming and outreach to the residents of Halton Hills. “Our government recognizes that Ontario's Francophone community represents an important economic lever and that Francophone entrepreneurs and businesses greatly contribute to Ontario's prosperity," said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Francophone Affairs. "That's why we are supporting organizations that serve Francophones through the pandemic and contributing further to a vibrant Franco-Ontarian community." Halton Hills residents are encouraged to take part in French programming, events, and collections. Here are some of the current and upcoming activities: • French storytimes and creative activities for families with young children on Facebook • An online Notre Histoire (Halton Hills French History) archive as part of the Library’s historical archives • French-language activities for all PA Days • Helson Gallery virtual class visits for students (K-8) • Borrowing of French materials from our expanded collection of books and resources ACTON BRANCH 17 River Street Acton, ON L7J 1C2 519-853-0301 | 519-853-3110 (fax) www.hhpl.on.ca askus@haltonhills.ca GEORGETOWN BRANCH 9 Church Street Georgetown, ON L7G 2A3 905-873-2681 | 905-873-6118 (fax) “We [HHPL] are thrilled to be awarded this grant, to build and strengthen our relationships with the Francophone community,” says Danielle Dawe, Adult Services Librarian. “Numerous residents have asked for French programming and literacy opportunities, and now we have the means to do that.” The funding application was also supported by École élémentaire catholique du Sacré-Coeur and Église du SacréCoeur, along with the John Elliott Theatre and Esquesing Historical Society. To enjoy French programming initiatives in Halton Hills, please visit the Halton Hills Public Library event calendar or follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube).