The Lakes and Islands Lifelong Learning Project is a joint literacy initiative supported by the Library Boards of Rideau Lakes and Leeds and the Thousand Islands. This partnership offers our rural branch libraries as locations for learning and literacy activities.

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The purpose of the Lakes and Islands Lifelong Learning Project is to empower community residents of all ages and backgrounds by encouraging and promoting literacy and lifelong learning, the joy of reading and the power of information, thus enhancing our quality of life and affirming our sense of community.


Together, the library systems envision that:

• Our libraries will become centres in our communities for learning of all kinds, providing materials, resources, services, and activities to help adults and children obtain the information they need to meet their personal, educational, cultural, and professional needs.
• We will support students, assist families in stimulating their children’s interest in and appreciation for reading and learning, and encourage adult literacy and skills upgrading.
• The libraries will meet the needs of their diverse and growing constituencies by partnering with other community organizations.

In the early stages of our project we developed a community profile and literacy inventory for Rideau Lakes and Leeds and the 1000 Islands Townships. The recommendations of our library development and research team provided both Library Boards with invaluable information for the planning of future library services, programs and staffing. For more information, please consult our Lifelong Learning strategic plan.