Mohawk College, HPL and BPL forge new agreement

Hamilton, ON – March 29, 2019 In an agreement signed today, Mohawk College, Hamilton Public Library and Burlington Public Library have formally committed to increasing programs and resources for the communities they serve.

Mohawk College has worked with Hamilton Public Library and Burlington Public Library in projects in the past, most notably through Mohawk’s City School, an education and training initiative that helps people access post-secondary education with an eye to re-entering the workforce. This agreement with the Cities’ public library systems will allow for greater collaboration in the future in a number of ways, possibly sharing research, locating City School programming in new areas, offering experiential learning placements, exploring joint funding ventures and new programs. The intended result is to provide greater access to training, resources and programs for people in neighbourhoods that, for any number of reasons, face barriers to post-secondary education and employment.

“We are grateful for the strong relationship Mohawk College has had with Hamilton Public Library and Burlington Public Library,” says Mohawk College president Ron McKerlie. “Today’s agreement formalizes that relationship and allows us to deepen our collective efforts to make important programs and resources even more readily accessible to all neighbourhoods and communities in our area.”

Mohawk College has been providing a quality, higher education experience to students in Hamilton, Ontario and the surrounding area since 1967. The college educates and serves more than 31,700 full-time, part-time, apprenticeship and international students at three main campuses in Hamilton, at learning hubs across Hamilton through City School by Mohawk, and at the college’s Aviation Facility at Hamilton International Airport. Mohawk is among the leading colleges in Canada for applied research. It has been named one of Canada’s greenest employers for five years in a row, and is home to the country’s largest net zero energy institutional building. More than 120,000 people have graduated from Mohawk since it was founded.

Hamilton Public Library - “As a library, we work to ensure all enjoy the freedom to discover. Our partnerships with Mohawk and BPL will best connect the resources in the region and provide increased opportunity for all.” - Paul Takala, CEO, Hamilton Public Library

Burlington Public Library “We are thrilled to bring increased access to education and resources to citizens in Burlington. Together with Mohawk College and Hamilton Public Library, we look forward to developing new opportunities to further continue this work. Starting on April 16, College 101 through City School by Mohawk will be offered at the Central library in Burlington. We are excited for the possibilities that lay ahead for our communities.”- Lita Barrie, CEO, Burlington Public Library