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Chatham

CK Public Library Tests Out New Hub

The Chatham-Kent Public Library is testing out a new tool to help those who are homeless, by finding out what services are available for them.

The project involves putting together a toolkit that can eventually be mimicked by other libraries across Ontario.

"The goal is to develop a new service model for high risk populations in reducing the stress for them navigating social service systems within their community," says Chelsie Abraham, manager of public services.

She says by pulling in resources and information from the community, the library will be better equipped to share that information with those who need it.

"We're reaching out to a lot of social services to tell us what they do," says Abraham. "That way we know, so we can refer [people] to the proper services that they need."

Chatham-Kent along with Windsor, Essex County, and Guelph will be the first public libraries to test out this type of community hub.

"Windsor Public Library is taking the lead on this project with the $200,000 grant," she says. "This grant is funded by the Ontario Public Libraries Capacity Fund."

The project is expected to take about two years to complete, but after that it'll be available for every public library in the province to use and adapt to their own communities.

-With files from Matt Weverink.

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