Provincial Information and Library Resources Board

The Provincial Information and Library Resources Board (PILRB) is a Crown corporation established by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, responsible for overseeing the province's public library system. It operates under the authority of the Public Libraries Act and manages Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries (NLPL), a comprehensive provincial library network.

History and Governance

The PILRB was founded in 1935 to provide and regulate public library services across Newfoundland and Labrador. As a Crown corporation, the board functions as a governmental agency overseeing library operations and ensuring public access to information and resources.

Operations and Services

The board administers the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries, which comprises a network of 94 library locations throughout the province. This network provides free access to library materials, public computers, and a variety of programs and services. Outreach initiatives include services such as "Books by Mail" and a Digital Library, allowing residents to borrow materials and access digital resources remotely with a valid NLPL library card.

Vision and Mission

The vision of the PILRB is to maintain a public library system that offers comprehensive access to library services for all individuals, promoting personal growth and lifelong learning while fostering community engagement.

The mission focuses on supporting literacy, lifelong learning, and enhancing community well-being by providing free access to diverse library materials, delivering creative and educational programming, and fostering connections among people in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Core Values

The Provincial Information and Library Resources Board upholds several fundamental values that guide its operations:

• Intellectual Freedom
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Community
• Customer Service
• Learning and Literacy
• Creativity
• Innovation
• Integrity and Accountability
• Respectfulness

These values underscore the board’s commitment to ensuring unrestricted access to information and a diverse range of ideas, thereby supporting an informed and engaged public.

Significance

By managing Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial public library system, the PILRB plays a crucial role in promoting education, literacy, and cultural enrichment across the province. It facilitates equal access to information and resources, contributing to the social and intellectual development of the communities it serves.

Business Registration Number: 888256849RR0001

[1] https://www.exec-abc.gov.nl.ca/public/agency/detail/?id=570 [2] https://nlpl.ca/about-the-library/ [3] https://nlpl.ca [4] https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/1999/09/opp953 [5] https://www.iacnl.ca/news/provincial-information-and-library-resources-board/