06-06-2024 - No. 02The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
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The Honourable Neil Lumsden
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Minister. Lumsden(a),ontario.ca
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of
Tourism, Culture and Sport
sam.00sterhoffco(ci.)pc.ola.orq
Sent via email: Minister. Lumsden(Dontario.ca
Sent via email: sam.00sterhoff(a pc.ola.org
Dear Hon. Neil Lumsden:
Re: Motion in Support of the Township of Wainfleet's resolution regarding Public Libraries
and Older Adults.
This is to confirm that at the May 28, 2024 Council Meeting in the City of Niagara Falls, the
following resolution was adopted with respect to the above noted matter:
No. 2
June 6, 2024
Moved by: Councillor Lori Lococo Seconded by: Councillor Victor Pietrangelo
"WHEREAS Niagara Region and, specifically the City of Niagara Falls, has a significant aging
cohort, particularly vulnerable to isolation in the digital world; and
WHEREAS the role of local libraries is definitely that of a community hub, offering
numerous educational and socializing opportunities for all ages; and
WHEREAS the provincial funding model has remained unchanged for over 25 years
and restricts "library growth and potential"; and
WHEREAS while we are respectful of Seniors Community Grants, today's economic
realities suggest libraries are in need of a funding increase;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Correspondence item C165 respecting
Public Libraries and Older Adults be received and supported; and
THAT the City of Niagara Falls hereby calls upon the Province of Ontario to review
its funding formula for Public Libraries."
AND The Seal of the Corporation be hereto affixed.
WILLIAM G. MATSON, CITY CLERK
Carried Unanimously
JAMES M. DIODATI, MAYOR
If any further information is required, please contact the undersigned at 905-356-7521, x4342.
Yours Truly,
Bill Matson
City Clerk, City of Niagara Falls
Attachment: Correspondence item C165
cc.
MPP, Wayne Gates, wqates-co(cDndp.on.ca
4/11124, 3:08 PM
Public libraries foster feelings of social connectedness
https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/public-libraries-foster-feelings-of-social-
connectedness-for-older-adults/article_4a3f12fa-9eff-549e-b68e-9e6Of2c12510.htmI
Home / Opinion / Contributors
CONTRIBUTORS OPINION
Public libraries foster feelings of
social connectedness for older
adults
Older adults hold an intimate relationship with their public library branch — a relationship that typically
spans the course of their lives.
H)011LT0M kTAT0R
By Nicole Dalmer
Apr 9, 2024
Article was updated Apr 9, 2024
https://www.weIlandtribune.ca/opinion/contributors/public-libraries-foster-feelings-of-social-connectedness-for-older-adults/article 4bded397-c389-5f7..: 114
Public libraries foster feelings of social connectedness
Public libraries foster feelings of sociaIcon nectedness, not only due to the range of materials, programs and m
services, but because they also serve as places ford iscoveringand accessing resources, enabling lifelong
learning and fostering community relationships, Nicole Dalmer writes.
John Rennison The Hamilton Spectator file photo
Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, proclaimed "there is a hunger in this
digital age ... to participate in programs, to just be in a place, a community space."
Public libraries play a crucial role in building our understandings of community and
connecting us to community. My own work looks at the role of public libraries as very
crucial, but sometimes overlooked, spaces of social connection in later life.
In stepping back and thinking more broadly about the public library and its capacity
for supporting social connections in later life, I've been thinking about local public
library branches as important third places — drawing on Ray Oldenburg's popular
book "The Great Good Place." Third places, such as parks, gyms, coffee shops,
museums and libraries are places distinct from the home (a first place) or work
environments (a second place), where social connections and community building can
be fostered. In other words, third places are spots where we exchange ideas, have a
good time and build relationships.
https://www.wellandtribune.calopinion/contributors/public-libraries-foster-feelings-of-social-connectedness-for-older-adults/article 4bded397-c389-5f7... 2/4
4/11124, 3:08 PM
Public libraries foster feelings of social connectedness
As part of my research, I interviewed 51 older adults living in Ontario who frequented
their local public library, asking them questions to better understand the many roles
the public library has played, and continues to play, in their everyday lives.
My research was in response to the International Federation on Ageing's statement
that "the No. 1 emerging issue facing older adults in Canada is keeping older people
socially connected and active." Between 19 and 24 per cent of older people in Canada
experience some level of isolation. Social isolation occupies an increasingly important
place in conversations surrounding aging in Canada, in part due to the COVID-19
pandemic that exacerbated feelings of social isolation and in part due to social
isolation's negative impact on older adults' physical and mental health, including
reduced quality of life, premature mortality, depression, as well as increased risk for
falls, cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Socially isolated older adults often have poorer health outcomes and more complex
support needs and therefore require access to a complement of community -based
supports — such as public libraries — to thrive.
As I learned from the 51 older adults who shared their experiences of engaging with
their public library, it became clear that participants hold an intimate relationship
with their public library branch — a relationship that typically spans the course of
their lives. The library was often referred to as an "old friend" or a "trusted friend."
Public library branches foster feelings of social connectedness, not only due to the
range of materials, programs, services and spaces that can be used without expectation
of payment or any pre-existing level of knowledge. Public libraries also serve as trusted
third places for discovering and accessing resources, enabling lifelong learning and
fostering community relationships.
As voiced by so many individuals who took part in my study, public library offerings
connect older library patrons with other people and other ideas, events and other
services. Libraries were also spaces with free access to washrooms, places to keep cool
in the summer and warm in the winter, and important places where older adults knew
they could stop along their daily walking route.
Participants felt connected to library staff. This was especially so for those older adults
living in rural areas, where staff knew them by name and could offer reading
recommendations based on what the patrons had checked out in the past.
Interestingly, older adults shared they felt connected to their community while in their
library, even if they didn't actually interact with other people. Merely being in the
presence of others (whether staff or other patrons) was sufficient to feel socially
included and connected.
https://www.wellandtribune.calopinion/contributors/public-libraries-foster-feelings-of-social-connectedness-for-older-adults/article 4bded397-c389-5f7... 3/4
4/11/24, 3:08 PM
Public libraries foster feelings of social connectedness
Public libraries also nurture social connection through intergenerational connections.
Intergenerational library programs (movie nights, music classes, book clubs, knitting
clubs and the like) are places where different generations can meet, interact and build
relationships — bridging generational perspectives and experiences.
So when we're thinking about how to support social inclusion among older adults, it's
important to consider those third places, such as public library branches, that can be
crucial sites that foster, inspire and encourage feelings and experiences of social
connection and social inclusion.
Nicole Dalmer is an assistant professor with the Department of Health, Aging and Society
at McMaster University, an associate director of the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging
and a volunteer with the Hamilton Council on Aging. For more information or to donate
to the Hamilton Council on Aging, visit coahamilton.ca.
REPORT AN ERROR JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS ABOUTTHETRIBUNE
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