You know the Chinese proverb…Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime…
The Elliot Lake Public Library (ON) has taken this advice to heart. People with an Elliot Lake library card can check out more than books or videos — they can now check out fishing rods, reels and a limited amount of tackle.
Sue Morin, head librarian at the Elliot Lake library, said the program started in Elliot Lake last month.
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunter (OFAH), with the encouragement of the Elliot Lake Rod and Gun Club (ELRAG), donated eight fishing combos including rods, reels and the required tackle. In addition, the federation replenishes the gear as needed. Story from The Sudbury Star.
I suspect there are many community organizations, clubs and businesses that would be willing and able to cooperate with their local libraries in this way to assistant the local community. Please share if you know of a such a venture where you are.
Not the only one.
I’ve heard there’s a library in Kansas doing the same thing. I heard about it from a lbrarian in Neodesha, KS, where they have a circulating collection of shaped specialty cake pans!
Great idea
but I’ve always hated that saying. It assumes that there will always be fish in the river/sea.
It should really say teach a man to fish, lend him a fishing rod and then tell him where to fish!