Treaty 1 Territory, Homeland of the Red River Métis, Winnipeg, Manitoba –
To better meet the needs of Winnipeg families, mayoral candidate Rick Shone pledges to keep libraries open seven days per week. “Weekend and evening hours are ideal times to use public libraries, yet the majority of our city libraries are closed,” said Shone. “Operating hours should reflect preferred times of use and meet this demand.”
Out of twenty-two Winnipeg libraries, only four are open on Saturdays, and none of them are open on Sundays. Additionally, eleven of the locations are closed for three days a week. If elected, Rick Shone will make it a priority to extend library hours to include Sundays.
“It doesn’t make much sense to invest in buildings and resources only to have them closed when families are most able to access them,” said Shone. “Libraries play an important and often overlooked role in the health of our city. The resources and services they offer create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, provide services for job seekers and for family-focused programming while helping shape the new ideas and perspectives central to a creative and innovative society.”
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