The Whitby Public Library is now the first library in Durham Region to offer free memberships to Indigenous people living on any Ontario First Nations Reserve who self-identify as Indigenous. The library board voted unanimously to create the new membership category on June 2, 2026, during Indigenous History Month.
Normally, non-residents living outside Durham Region must pay an annual fee of $45 for a library card. This new policy waives that out-of-region fee, removing a financial barrier for Indigenous community members who want to borrow materials, use computers, or take part in library programs.
The initiative is directly tied to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #69, which stresses the right of Indigenous peoples to know the truth about residential schools and their histories. Library CEO Rhonda Jessup said the move reflects the library’s core value of intellectual freedom, and that ensuring access to materials reflecting Indigenous histories and cultures represents that freedom while fostering truth-telling and historical understanding.
Liam Nichols, chair of the library board, said the goal is to contribute to reconciliation and build understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. He noted that removing access barriers is a concrete step the library can take toward that goal.
The Whitby Public Library has been serving the community since 1911 and operates three branches. This membership change adds to the library’s ongoing Indigenous programming, which has included hosting Durham Region’s first Indigenous Veterans’ Day ceremony and recognizing National Indigenous Languages Day.
To get the free card, eligible applicants need to visit any Whitby library branch and self-identify as Indigenous while providing proof of residence on an Ontario First Nations Reserve. More details are available on the library’s website.
