Education Centre library launches PALS

Nipissing University and Canadore College
Joint News Release

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Access to information has never been easier, and for people in the Blue Sky Region, it is about to get even easier. Nipissing University and Canadore College, in conjunction with public libraries in the Blue Sky Region, are pleased to introduce a pilot project titled Public and Academic Libraries Sharing (PALS).

With a PALS card, members of the participating Blue Sky Region’s public libraries are able to access resources and services within the Education Centre library, while college and university students are granted access to public library holdings.

“We’re very excited to be launching PALS,” said Brian Nettlefold, executive director of library services for Nipissing and Canadore. “This is a very effective way to maximize resources while benefiting our community and our students in a very tangible way. More people fostering life-long learning and investing time in libraries serves to strengthen our region’s place in a society, and an economy, in which knowledge and access to information is increasingly important.”

“This program is the first of its kind in the Blue Sky Region and it is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved,” said Paul Walker, chief executive officer of North Bay Public Libraries. “The public library members will benefit from access to the type of academic information housed at the Education Centre while students will benefit from increased resources thanks to the extensive holdings of the public libraries.”

The pilot project will launch in September 2007, at the beginning of the new school term.

Participating libraries include:
• Bonfield Public Library
• Callander Public Library
• East Ferris Public Library
• Education Centre Library (Nipissing University / Canadore College)
• Mattawa Public Library
• Nipissing First Nations Public Library
• North Bay Public Library
• Powassan & District Union Public Library
• Temagami Public Library
• West Nipissing Public Library

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