The L.E.A.F. Initiative is a Commonwell program to support capacity, resiliency and growth in the communities we call home.

Kearney & Area Public Library new computers project

8 Main Street, Box 220 KearneyP0A 1M0

Target Completion Date: December 31, 2022

What is this project about?

The Kearney & Area Public Library currently has 4 public use computers that are 13 years old and are at then end of their life as we can not update them any longer as the new technology does not work with the older computers. We have updated them as much as we can. We are a small rural library located in the beautiful Town of Kearney which is a tourist area with 3 entrance ways to the beautiful Algonquin Provincial Park. We are located in the Kearney Community Centre which is up the hall from the Ministry of Natural Resources office where tourists come to get their permits to enter Algonquin Provincial Park to go camping, hiking, day tripping etc. We are the hub of our community as some residents and cottagers still can not get the internet at all as it is not available in their area, campers heading into Algonquin Park need to have access to the Library computers to touch base with family at home, students on vacation needing to sign up for their fall courses at college and university. We would love to upgrade all 4 of our Public use computers and printers so the public can use and enjoy. This would provide a better service with newer technology to everyone in the community and tourists visiting. This will help move the community forward with up to date technology that is needed. We would then be better able to provide lessons on our new technology to everyone in the community.

Why is this project important to the community?

We are the hub of the community which also provides a safe place for patrons to come and use our services. We are in a rural area that still doesn't have internet available to some residents and cottagers further out in the woods. By providing updated free internet access computers to students, tourists and residents we are helping bridge the digital divide in our rural community.