Barrie Public Library is committed to reducing period poverty
The Barrie Public Library has recently taken another step in reducing barriers for the community.
To help lessen menstrual poverty, all washrooms at all locations now offer pads and tampons free to the public.
Period poverty, as defined by the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFA), is "the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products."
"We recognize that period poverty is a real concern for many in our community," said Lauren Jessop, the library's CEO. "The library is proud to support this movement for free menstrual product availability across the country."
Many public institutions, including the Simcoe County District School Board, have undertaken similar initiatives.
Jessop points out library's Strategic Plan prioritizes both inclusion and reducing barriers.
"We're continually taking steps towards this goal, and providing free menstrual products is just one more step," said Jessop.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The library moved to a fine-free book return model in July 2020 in order to offer accessible and equitable service.
It opened on the GO Kiosks at East Bayfield Community Centre and Allandale Recreation Centre last year to increase convenience and accessibility.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny
Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
Concerns about Plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglass barriers.
Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.
OPP officer said 'someone's going to get hurt' before wrong-way Hwy. 401 crash
As multiple Durham police cruisers were chasing a robbery suspect on the wrong side of Highway 401 Monday night, an Ontario Provincial Police officer shared his concerns, telling a dispatcher, "Someone's going to get hurt."
Ont. woman who faked pregnancy to defraud doulas arrested again on similar charges
Victims of a Brantford, Ont., woman who was sentenced to house arrest earlier this year for defrauding and deceiving doulas say they’re not surprised she’s been apprehended again on similar charges.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Göring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
Poilievre returns to House unrepentant for calling Trudeau 'wacko,' Speaker not resigning
An unrepentant Pierre Poilievre returned to the House of Commons on Wednesday to pepper the prime minister about his drug decriminalization policies after being booted the day prior for refusing to take back calling Justin Trudeau 'wacko' over his approach to the issue.
Construction begins on LGBTQ2S+ national monument in Ottawa
Shovels have hit the ground for constuction on Canada's LGBTQ2S+ national monument in Ottawa.
B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-it-kind intimate image case
In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline.