Students across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) are turning pages on hundreds of new books now filling classrooms and Learning Commons.
In May 2025, the UCDSB announced a record-setting $1.5 million investment to expand classroom libraries and school collections. Each school received between $13,000 and $26,000 to purchase hundreds of new books English and French, fiction and non-fiction, including student-requested and culturally relevant titles selected in collaboration with staff, students, and parent councils.
Below are some examples of how schools have used their funding:
Central Public School (Cornwall)
With strong support from their principal, the school expanded and refreshed their library, adding 19 boxes of new titles, rotating paperback carousels, and created more space by relocating resources to classrooms and other areas of the school. Nearly 600 older books were donated to students and families during an open house.
North Elmsley Public School (Perth)
New bookshelves were added to every classroom, and all student wish-list requests were fulfilled. The Learning Commons was updated with more titles as well, incorporating student suggestions to ensure the collection reflects their interests.
R. Tait Mackenzie Public School (Almonte)
This school focused on expanding their selections of Indigenous and French collections, including picture books, non-fiction and bilingual resources. Popular series such as Spirit Bear, as well as French titles including the Une syllabe à la fois series, Facile à Lire Ensemble, Scholastic Voici biographies, and other picture and holiday-themed books were among the many books added. In total, 672 new books were added to classrooms, with 336 French books added to the Learning Commons.
For more information
225 Central Avenue West
Brockville Ontario
Canada K6V 5X1
www.ucdsb.on.ca
