Moved the adoption of the report.

She said: Honourable senators, before discussing the Main Estimates of the Library of Parliament, I would like to share with you the work that was accomplished over the past year. We hear very little about the challenges of operating the Library of Parliament and so I’d like to give you a brief update, which will help you better understand the operations of this institution that is so important to the work of Parliament.

Over the past year, the Library of Parliament had to move out of Centre Block and relocate its operations to several different locations: the renovated branch at 125 Sparks Street; Confederation Building; here, at the Senate of Canada, on the second floor of the section next to the dining hall; and, finally, in West Block. Together with the branch located at 180 Wellington Street, there are five locations to serve us in the Parliamentary Precinct. The building located at 45 Sacré-Coeur, in Gatineau, has been renovated and now houses the rare books collection. It features greater storage and improved work spaces.

When Centre Block was closed, the Library of Parliament had to adjust how it served Parliamentarians and how it provided tours of West Block and the Senate building. Senators will recall that the parliamentary gift shop moved and is now located in the new Visitor Welcome Centre. I encourage you to go take a look. You can see the new facilities and get an idea of what our future facilities will look like, since Centre Block’s set-up will be similar.

In cooperation with the National Film Board, the Library of Parliament is working on a project to provide virtual access to Centre Block during the years it is under renovation. The technical development of the virtual reality environment is complete. Immersive virtual reality, or VR, online 2D experiences and a national mobile classroom program will be launched this fall.

The Library of Parliament is fine tuning its priorities for the 2019-20 fiscal year and has developed a work plan with the Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament. The library provides services including customized research, training for staff, public outreach and access to the collections and to all services offered at the branches.

To carry out its activities and priorities for 2019-20, the Library of Parliament is requesting $49,952,016 in funding through the Main Estimates. Approximately $34 million will go to salaries, $5 million to the employee benefit plans and $10 million to goods and services.

The Library of Parliament can count on the services of over 630 employees who work in areas related to parliamentary committees, research, customer service, activities related to guided tours and the ambassador program. Under the leadership of Heather Lank, whom we all know very well and who is supported by an excellent team of staff, the Library of Parliament offers a wide range of services to its personnel who support us in all of our work. We are very well served, and we owe them our very sincere thanks.

On that, Mr. Speaker, honourable senators, I move the adoption of this report and of the Main Estimates for the Library of Parliament for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Thank you for your attention.