It was a chilly day in late January when communities from different faiths around Durham Region gathered at the Central Library for a special celebration. There was soon a sense of warmth as more than two hundred people took part in World Religion Day: Faith Through the Arts – an event organized by Durham Multifaith Community in partnership with the Whitby Library. The incredible energy that greeted community members when they walked through the doors on January 20, 2024, was striking.
Members from various faith groups worked together with the Library to organize a day filled with memorable performances, information, and above all, an opportunity to learn from each other. While national headlines at the time focused on polarized opinions and cultural tensions, the Library was a place of connection and openness.
In recognition of World Religion Day, the Library has been nominated for the Angus Mowatt Award of Excellence as part of the Ontario Public Library Service Awards from the Ontario Government. These awards recognize Ontario’s public libraries for their creative library service ideas.
“We are thrilled with this nomination as it helps honour the spirit of this important event,” said Rhonda Jessup, CEO of the Whitby Library. “Seeing groups come together with the common goal of sharing and learning from each other was a powerful experience for our community.”
An independent committee of public library sector representatives review award submissions. Winners are announced at the annual Ontario Library Association Super Conference taking place in Toronto on January 29 – February 1, 2025.
