(from left to right): Pembroke Public Library board chair and Laurentian Valley Councillor Keith Watt, CEO of the Pembroke Public Library Karthi Rajamani, Pembroke Mayor Mike LeMay, Laurentian Valley Mayor Steve Bennett and Pembroke Deputy Mayor Ron Gervais.
The Pembroke Public Library has been honored with the Champion of Diversity award by the Province of Ontario, recognizing its exceptional dedication to fostering inclusion and diversity within the community. This prestigious award, presented in the category of Inclusion and Diversity, distinguishes the library as the sole recipient across the province for its outstanding efforts.
Karthi Rajamani, Chief Administrative Officer, shared the exciting news with the library board, underscoring the library’s pivotal role in promoting immigrant success, cultural diversity, and social inclusion. This latest recognition adds to the library’s impressive list of accolades received in recent years.
The Champion of Diversity Award, an annual accolade by the Ontario government, celebrates individuals, groups, and organizations that demonstrate leadership in immigrant integration, cultural heritage preservation, and equitable employment practices. It recognizes exemplary contributions across three categories: Inclusion and Diversity, Cross-Cultural Understanding, and Business Leadership in Immigrant Employment.
The Pembroke Public Library Board exemplifies how a library can serve as a catalyst for community advancement. Through initiatives such as hosting English as a Second Language groups, partnering with local immigration organizations, and providing employment opportunities for newcomers, the library has become a cornerstone of inclusivity. Notably, it has also advocated for housing newcomer settlement agencies in rural library spaces, setting a precedent in the region.
(Written by: Emma Butler)