The Milton Public Library (MPL) has announced the completion of their New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP).
It was first announced in June 2022 when $25,000 was provided to the MPL as part of a larger investment. The MPL then announced in June 2023 that they had received an additional $23,734 from the federal government. The total funding was to support projects aimed at making a difference in the lives of seniors and the community. They used it to create the NHSP, which aims to improve accessibility and foster community integration by providing multilingual resources to newcomers in Milton.
It began as a response to Milton’s growing diversity. The project engaged local seniors proficient in different languages including Urdu, Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, French and Ukrainian. Partnering with the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC), a group of dedicated seniors volunteered their time to translate essential library resources and materials, ensuring that newcomers from various linguistic backgrounds feel welcome and supported.
“We are thrilled to announce the successful culmination of the New Horizons for Seniors Program,” says Sarah Douglas-Murray, CEO and Chief Librarian at MPL. “This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to serving the diverse needs of our community and creating an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome. The ‘New Horizons for Seniors’ Program builds upon MPL’s previous success with the ‘Hand-me-Down Project’, funded by the NHSP in 2022. Through these initiatives, MPL continues to leverage the invaluable contributions of seniors, fostering intergenerational connections and promoting social inclusion.”
The completion of the project marks a significant milestone for MPL in its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Newcomers to the community now have access to free welcome brochures, tech notes, and a newly launched “Get Started” webpage on the MPL website, all available in six different languages. This comprehensive approach aims to break down language barriers and facilitate seamless integration into library services and programs The Main Library offers a wide collection of books, e-resources, and audio/visual materials available in Urdu, Arabic, Hindi, Spanish, French and Ukrainian. All made available for free with a Milton Public Library card, available at all locations and online at beinspired.ca.
Moreover, in a gesture of warmth and inclusiveness, the main branch of the library now features greetings in different languages, reflecting the diversity and richness of Milton’s community. This initiative fosters a sense of belonging and unity among patrons, regardless of their cultural or linguistic backgrounds.
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