The Nation, ON – The Nation Municipality is thrilled to announce a $26,000 grant from The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group’s Learning Engagement & Accelerator Fund (L.E.A.F.) to launch a revitalization project designed to rebuild and strengthen our municipal library system following a period of closure and transition. This funding will help create welcoming spaces for families, add comfortable seating for readers, and introduce a musical instrument lending collection, offering residents new opportunities for creativity, learning, and connection.
“Our libraries are more than places to borrow books, they’re hubs for connection, creativity, and learning,” said Nicki Fontaine, Chair of the Library Board. “From programs like the musical instrument lending library to comfortable, inclusive spaces, this project ensures our branches remain vibrant places where residents of all ages can explore, learn, and grow. Thanks to The Commonwell’s L.E.A.F. Grant, we can invest in resources that support lifelong learning and community belonging!”
Administered by The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group, the L.E.A.F. initiative invested $400,000 in community grants this year, continuing its steady growth and impact across Ontario. Tim Shauf, President of The Commonwell, emphasizes the program’s impact, stating, “This year, the L.E.A.F. initiative saw an unprecedented $6.96 million in funding requests, underscoring how essential it is to the well-being of the communities we serve. At The Commonwell, we are committed to Building Member Value by caring beyond us and beyond now, and these projects represent real action behind that commitment, supporting communities where they are today and shaping stronger futures for the generations that follow.”
L.E.A.F.’s mission is simple: cultivate community resilience and capacity through program development and facility/resource upgrades in places where residents learn, play, engage, and gather.
For more details about The Nation Public Library’s “Strong Libraries, Stronger Communities” project visit leaf.thecommonwell.ca.
About The Nation Public Library:
The Nation Municipality is home to three library branches, Limoges, St-Albert, and St-Isidore, offering free memberships to residents and non-residents alike. Each branch provides access to a wide range of books, programs, and resources that support learning, creativity, and community connection. Following a period of closure and transition earlier this year, a new Library Board has been appointed and is working closely with municipal staff to implement a renewed, sustainable vision for library services. The Strong Libraries, Stronger Communities revitalization project is a great example of this vision in action, helping to restore and enhance these branches as welcoming spaces where all residents, longtime neighbours and newcomers alike, can explore, learn, and grow together.
About The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group:
For over 100 years, The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group has provided insurance for Ontario’s farmers, families, and businesses. With a focus on the rural lifestyle, The Commonwell believes in giving back to the communities it serves through annual philanthropy efforts, including the L.E.A.F. initiative. Learn more at thecommonwell.ca/impact.