Clarington Library, Museums & Archives’ Curious Communities Shortlisted for Provincial Award

For immediate release

Clarington Library, Museums & Archives’ Curious Communities Shortlisted for Provincial Award 

November 13, 2025—Clarington Library, Museums & Archives (CLMA) is excited to announce it has been shortlisted for an Ontario Public Library Service Award. CLMA’s Curious Communities initiative has been nominated for the Minister's Award for Innovation.

Curious Communities is a discount program that helps community members save money while supporting local businesses. Participating businesses offer discounts or promotions to customers who present their library card with CLMA cross-promoting involved organizations, connecting businesses to an engaged community of patrons.

“We’re thrilled to have made the shortlist for the Minister’s Award for Innovation,” states Monika Machacek, CEO of Clarington Library, Museums & Archives. “Clarington is a rapidly growing community, and Curious Communities was developed to connect residents with local businesses and to their local library and museum. We have partnered with 20 local businesses, that in turn, offer cost savings to their customers. To have this initiative recognized in such a way is an honour.”

“We’re among excellent company, the shortlist is full of great programs and libraries across Ontario,” continues Tenzin Shomar, Library Board Chair. “We’re proud of the Curious Communities initiative and what it brings to both our customers and local small businesses, and wish to thank the Ministry for the valuable recognition.”

The Ontario Public Library Service Awards recognize Ontario’s public libraries for their creative library service ideas. The Minister's Award for Innovation recognizes successful new approaches that demonstrate a positive impact in a community and are of continued value to public libraries. An independent committee of public library sector representatives review award submissions, and winners are announced at the annual Ontario Library Association Super Conference in January 2026.

For more information about the Curious Communities initiative, please see the CLMA website at: cplma.ca/CuriousCommunities. 

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Contact:
Samantha Aitken
Manager, Marketing & Community Engagement
Clarington Library, Museums & Archives
saitken@cplma.ca