MPP Arnott congratulates County of Wellington on Hillsburgh Library groundbreaking
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Queen’s Park) – On March 10, the County of Wellington officially broke ground on the new Hillsburgh Library.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott joined County officials at the event and offered his congratulations.
The following is the text of his remarks:
It’s been said that the most important thing in your wallet isn’t your driver’s licence; it isn’t your health card; and it certainly isn’t your cash or your coins.
The most important thing in your wallet is your library card.
Your library card opens the door to knowledge, wisdom, and the accumulated experience of the generations. It opens the door to the world, and everything in it.
Our public libraries are society’s great equalizers: they are open and accessible to all, and everyone who seeks the opportunity to learn is invited and welcomed.
Some people say that with the Internet and the rapid changes in technology in our time, that libraries are on their way out. I completely disagree. We will always need our libraries as local centres of culture and community.
Here’s a story which illustrates why this is true:
Growing up in South Western Ontario in the 1960’s, Mike Lazaridis was a kid who was interested in science. He became so interested that he borrowed and read every single science book in the library. He went on to study electrical engineering at the University of Waterloo, and built a company called “Research in Motion,” which made the BlackBerry smartphone a symbol of cutting-edge, Canadian technology and entrepreneurship. His success and know-how started at his local public library.
This new library in Hillsburgh will give our local children that same chance, in a warm and supportive environment that celebrates life-long learning and intellectual development.
All of this brought to us by the County of Wellington. County Council and Staff, supported by our local Councils and their staff. All of you deserve enormous credit for your vision, dedication, professionalism, and for all that your do.
We have great communities in our County, and this doesn’t just happen. Great things are made to happen because we have great people, great community organizations which seek to do great things, and great leadership at the County and the Town. With all the turmoil and uncertainty in the world today, we are indeed blessed.
And as part of the County’s long-term, comprehensive plan to revitalize our libraries and bring them into the 21st century, the Hillsburgh Library will take its rightful place as one of our finest public buildings. A jewel in the crown, strong, historic, architecturally spectacular, and a hub of learning for all who thirst for knowledge, and seek to find the keys to a better world.
Thank you, and congratulations.
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-787-5247
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org