Alexander Leach, Editor
WHITEWATER – The Whitewater Region Public Library will provide scholarships of $500 to any library patrons pursuing post-secondary education, thanks to contributions from the late Barbara MacWha.
“One of her requests for her estate was that a scholarship for post-secondary students be offered to the library.” said Conor Leggott, member of the Library Board, who sent Whitewater News the scholarship’s information.
He said the scholarship requires proof of library patronage in the form of a library card or other documentation, and proof of enrollment in a post-secondary institution.
“One of the things we hope to do is the eligibility process involves a short statement about the importance of literacy and we hope to share those with the Whitewater region as applications come in.” he said, saying the statements would be 300 words maximum.
He said that the scholarship is open to those of all ages, saying that it “must be difficult if you’re financing your education on your own.”
Leggott said that the pandemic has changed the way the library operates, but they are “adapting.”
“It’s been an interesting time, but the library has adapted.” he said. “What’s really skyrocketed is the use of ebooks. Patrons can take out electronic books from a catalogue we have access to.”
He said that fundraising has also changed, with many traditional events such as silent auctions avoided.
“We don’t want to burden people.” he said.
The opening to the scholarship is as follows:
“Barbara MacWha (May 30, 1932 – January 5, 2020) was a devoted patron of the Whitewater Region Public Library.” The scholarship said. “Barbara became a school teacher in the late 1940s and started teaching in St. Lambert, Quebec, where she first met her husband, Jim. Barbara and Jim got married on August 20th in 1955 and had five sons together. The couple were prolific travellers, living in and travelling to Lennoxville, Kingston, Winnipeg, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. They eventually settled in Foresters Falls in 1996.”
“Barbara always enjoyed books, poetry, and reading. She always hoped her children and grandchildren would find as much joy in these pleasures as she did. Education was very important in Barbara’s life as she saw the value it could give people. Barbara was fascinated to watch the change of technology and society over the course of the 20th and early 21st centuries. She kept a keen imagination and an eager eye to the future.”
“The Whitewater Region Public Library would like to thank the funders, Jim MacWha and the Estate of Barbara MacWha, for their generosity.”
“The Whitewater Region Public Library is committed to the success and educational pursuits of its student patrons. The Library encourages community participation, literacy, and post-secondary studies. This scholarship is offered to support students of any age or year of study from the Township of Whitewater Region who are enrolled in post-secondary education”
