Ajax Public Library and Grandview Kids formalize long-standing partnership.
February 10, 2023 – Ajax Public Library and Grandview Kids signed a formal partnership agreement on Friday, February 10, 2023, reaffirming a shared commitment to education, inclusivity and community engagement. The agreement includes establishing an Ajax Public Library branch within Grandview Kids’ new Paediatric Centre of Excellence, currently under construction in Ajax. The dedicated Ajax Public Library – Grandview Kids Branch will ensure the surrounding community has access to vital services and resources, while also supporting the ongoing need for inclusive and welcoming community spaces.
“We are inspired by and appreciative of the support we’ve received,” says Tom McHugh, Chief Executive Officer of Grandview Kids, while speaking at an event on Friday. With a focus on hope, belonging, discovery and celebration, the new Grandview Kids will be a Centre of Excellence in paediatric rehabilitation, set to open in fall 2024. Grandview Kids currently provides specialized supports to children and youth with communication, developmental and physical needs at eight locations across Durham Region. Grandview Kids’ new, welcoming, state-of-the-art headquarters will support seamless, coordinated and client-driven care – home to a mix of rehabilitation, medical and clinical services, as well as education and research activities. The new Centre will help reduce wait times and improve access to a broader range of services for young people with disabilities and their families.
The Ajax Public Library – Grandview Kids Branch will be open to all members of the public during the facility’s regular operating hours. Branch customers can look forward to borrowing Sensory Kits and a mix of fiction and non-fiction items, as well as requesting items from any other Library location for pick-up at the Grandview Kids location. Computer access and educational programming will also be offered.
“Our unique partnership will improve the service we deliver to our shared community,” says Sarah Vaisler, Chief Librarian and Executive Officer of Ajax Public Library. The two organizations previously collaborated on other initiatives, including “Sensory Story Times” and “Sensory Support Kits.” Both are available from Ajax Public Library, but created with input from Grandview Kids to offer inclusive learning experiences in-library or at home. Storytimes are open to all, and kits can be borrowed by anyone with an Ajax Public Library card.