Image courtesy of the Milton Public Library
The Milton Public Library (MPL) is marking Freedom to Read Week by highlighting nearly $9 million in value delivered to residents in 2025 through expanded access to information, technology and programming.
Freedom to Read Week is a national event recognizing intellectual freedom and open access to information. In 2025, MPL recorded more than 655,000 in-person visits across its three branches and reported $8.96 million in savings to residents who borrowed materials instead of purchasing them, while digital engagement and physical borrowing continued to grow.
By year’s end, MPL had 64,068 active cardholders, up about 4,600 from the previous year. The most borrowed adult title was The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown, while children most frequently checked out Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey and teens gravitated toward Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins.
CEO Sarah Douglas-Murray said the strong usage reflects the community’s commitment to intellectual freedom. MPL also delivered more than 3,500 programs reaching over 70,000 participants and partnered with 75 community organizations throughout the year.
Find each MPL branch here:
- Main Library – 1010 Main Street East
- Sherwood Library – 6355 Main Street West
- Beaty Library – 945 Fourth Line
If you have a news tip or story idea, you can now send us a heads up via email at:
- News1013@LocalRadio.ca (Milton)
- News1015@LocalRadio.ca (Orangeville)
- News92@LocalRadio.ca (South Simcoe)
- Rick.Sargent@LocalRadio.ca (Bolton)
If you’d like to get ahold of me personally, shoot me a message at Cameron.Wilkinson@LocalRadio.ca. We’re in the business of content creation, so no idea is a bad idea.
