Brantford Public Library Provides Gateway to Government Information

The Brantford Public Library and ServiceOntario, the provincial government's gateway to information and on-line services, are partnering to make accessing government services a little easier for Brantford citizens. Whether you're getting married, starting a business or want to learn more about your workplace or industry, the staff at Brantford Public Library can help you find the resources you need through the ServiceOntario website.

Brantford Public Library's reference and information staff received training from the Ontario government on how to help people navigate the ServiceOntario site. This partnership with public libraries brings electronic access to Ontario government programs, services and transactions to the community. Brantford Public Library's Manager of Information and Partnership Services, Chris Stanley says, "Let's say that you lose your wallet, and need to replace your birth certificate, drivers license and health card, ServiceOntario has all of the forms you need. In many cases you can fill them out right online, and the staff at the library is always available to help you."

ServiceOntario is the place to look for government information and services. This partnership with your local library makes it easy to access this information how, when and where you want to. Visit ServiceOntario.ca and you can conduct a number of routine transactions and view government information online 24/7, or visit the Brantford Public Library for helpful assistance.

Brantford Conserves!

Many municipalities commemorated the anniversary of the August 13, 2003 blackout by participating in a one day conservation challenge. Increased awareness of energy conservation is good to see, but Ontario residents are being challenged to make long-term changes in their use of electricity and other forms of energy. Brantford Power and Brantford Public Library are working together to help residents identify where electricity is being used in their homes, by introducing a new "Watt Reader Loan Program." This simple-to-use device will help residents measure the electricity used by electrical appliances in their home to help focus energy saving efforts.

Wondering how much electricity that old refrigerator in the basement is using? Kids don't believe how much the PC consumes when you leave the screensaver on? Wondering if the new plasma TV uses a lot more electricity than the old one? (it does!) How about all those little "black box" power supplies plugged into wall outlets or power bars?

Brantford Public Library has just the thing if you want to become an "energy sleuth" and track down where all the electricity is being consumed in your home. The library now has watt electricity monitors available to borrow. The units, which were provided by Brantford Power as part of the City-owned electric utility's ongoing electricity conservation program, plug into any wall outlet, allowing you to determine the wattage or kilowatt-hours of any plug-in equipment. "This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to discover ways to conserve energy," said library CEO, Rose Vespa. "When customers borrow the watt reader meter, they can also check out resources from the Library for additional ideas to reduce energy consumption."

To promote this new service, the first 500 people to borrow one of the electricity monitors will receive a free energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lamp when they return the watt reader to the Library.

"We are very pleased to provide free use of the electricity monitors through this cooperative arrangement with Brantford Public Library" said Brantford Power CEO George Mychailenko

Residents are encouraged to visit the Brantford Public Library to sign out one of the watt reader monitors, and to visit the Brantford Power web site at www.brantfordpower.com for information on managing electricity usage.

For more information contact:
John Loucks
Phone: 519-751-3522

For more information contact:
Paula Thomlison, Manager
Marketing, Communications & Development
Phone: 519-756-2220 extension 343
Fax: 519-756-4979
Email: pthomlison@brantford.library.on.ca

Library Renovation Adds Greatly to Core's Revitalization

"There's been much talk in recent years about the revitalization of Brantford's core. Amidst the changes however - some businesses leaving, some remaining and some new ones moving in - Brantford Public Library has stood strong." Read more...

Summer Construction: New Back Entrance, Information Commons on the third floor and expanded service for Main Library

Brantford Public Library Board Chairman, Bruce Hodgson, today announced the selection of the construction firm for the Main Library's renovation project. Sierra Construction (Woodstock) Limited has been awarded the contract, and will be working closely with Library staff, City of Brantford staff, and the architects of Cannon Design on this extensive transformation of the city's Main Library. Construction will begin as early as next week, with completion slated for late fall.

The renovations include the addition of 12,000 square feet of space on the, currently unused, third floor and will serve as an Information Commons. Additional computer work stations, small group study spaces and expanded community meeting rooms will alleviate the acute shortage of space that currently exists. The entire floor will have wireless access to the library's catalogues, the Internet and the World Wide Web. "This is a very exciting addition to the Main Library and will build on other recent improvements in the downtown", says Mr. Hodgson. "The development of the third floor will address the library's critical lack of space. We are looking forward to the opportunity to create an area that will benefit both the public and post secondary users."

The addition of a rear entrance to the Library from Wharf Street was a much requested feature during the extensive consultative process. "It was important that we talked to Brantford citizens before we began a project of this magnitude," said Library CEO, Rose Vespa. "An entrance close to the Parking garage was important to Brantford citizens, and we're thrilled to add this feature to the design."

The existing two floors of the library will also see some enhancements. An expanded local history room, larger programming space, and a new Homework Help Centre will accommodate the growing numbers of collections, services and programs offered. "The needs of the community are constantly changing," added Vespa. "These enhancements will ensure that Brantford Public Library continues to provide exemplary library service to all of our users."

Brantford Public Library serves the 93,000 residents of the City of Brantford. Members of the community have come to rely on Brantford Public Library as a great place to find information on everything from auto repair to zoology. Last year, citizens made over half a million trips to the Brantford Public Library, accessed over 5.5 million Web pages and checked out more than 744,000 books, videos, and other resources. Internationally recognized for successfully combining traditional services with the latest technology, it also serves as a "virtual university library" for Brantford Campus students of Wilfrid Laurier University.

For more information contact:
Paula Thomlison, Manager
Marketing, Communications & Development
Phone: 756-2220 extension 343
Fax: 756-4979
Email: pthomlison@brantford.library.on.ca