We are nearly 9 months into a pandemic and something as fundamental as access to the internet is still not being provided by our public library system. Access to computers as a means to apply for jobs, communicate with loved ones and stay informed amidst a pandemic, is paramount in times like these, especially for our impoverished and marginalized community members. 

GVPL is alone in its failure to provide public computer access. Every other library system provides it and has been doing so for months in most cases: Vancouver Island Regional Library, Vancouver Public Library, Burnaby Public Library, Coquitlam Public Library, Fraser Valley Regional Library, Kelowna Public Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, New Westminster Public Library, Surrey Public Library, Richmond Public Library, and the list goes on.

The pandemic has created unprecedented levels of unemployment and underemployment. Our library has a duty to support its community and is failing. It is unacceptable that GVPL is lagging so far behind other library systems. Please sign and share this petition so that GVPL will provide internet access NOW.