Duane Hicks
As its name indicates, a major part of the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre will be focused on computers and other technology.
But that change is expected to be made much easier thanks to the fact the library has landed funding to hire a technology co-ordinator.
Joyce Cunningham, chair of the Fort Frances Library Board, told council Monday night that the Fort Frances Public Library and Rainy River Public Library are getting $109,000 over two years from Ontario Library Service North and Southern Ontario Library Service for a technology co-ordinator for the new library and technology centre here.
“This grant provides the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre with many opportunities,” noted Cunningham.
“For example, it will enable us to hire a person with the expertise and the skills to fully develop the technology centre.
“It also gives us the opportunity to explore the ways in which we might work collaboratively with departments within the town, with another library, and with many agencies and businesses throughout the area,” she added.
While the library project has had the fortune to receive quite a few grants and other forms of monetary support in the past few years, Cunningham said this grant is distinct.
Back in March, 2008, the Ministry of Culture invested $15 million in public libraries in Ontario. The money was given to the Southern Ontario Library Service and Ontario Library Service North to help them to work collaboratively on a number of fronts, including increasing library staffs’ ability to keep pace with information needs.
One of the programs made available was Internet technology (IT) support and training.
Two or more libraries had to apply jointly. In the Fort Frances Public Library’s case, it was with the Rainy River Public Library, and the pair ended up being among the 14 successful applicants representing 75 libraries in total.
The process currently is underway to hire a technology co-ordinator, who will spend four days a week in Fort Frances and one day a week in Rainy River (the funding includes a travel allowance to pay for the driving).
Cunningham is hoping someone will be hired by May.
She stressed the new technology co-ordinator is outside the regular staffing requirements and organization for the library, and the regular staff at the new library still will be reduced from 6.1 full-time equivalents to 5.6 full-time equivalents when they move into the new building, as was previously reported.
Cunningham explained the technology co-ordinator will have to have technology and communication skills, and be able to go out and talk with people in the community and find out how the technology at the library, particularly in the Shaw Communications room, “can be used to everybody’s benefit.”
“We’re looking for somebody with knowledge, with expertise, with a vision of what can be and a willingness to try new things,” she remarked.
During their time working in Rainy River, the technology co-ordinator will be focusing on promoting and using some of the library technology available there, such as databases.
Cunningham noted this is a term contract, and there already has been thought given to the fact the technology co-ordinator position isn’t permanent.
“We have recognized for a long time that once you start a technology centre, it’s going to be steep learning curve. . . .
“As we assess this, and as this person teaches us where can go and what we are doing, then we’ll be able to see how we can structure the whole staffing in the library,” she said.
“It’s been on our plate for some time that we knew we were going to have to do some reorganization of staffing,” she added.
“This will help us to do that with a better knowledge base.”
Cunningham also took stock of all of those who have contributed to the new library project, whether it was town council, which started and added to the building fund over the years and also provided the site, the community’s “overwhelming support” for the “Building for the Future” fundraising campaign (including Shaw Communications pledge of $175,000), the Ministry of Culture’s announcement of $1.6 million in funding back in February, 2007, or grants from the Moffat Family Fund, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp., FedNor, and the Canada-Ontario Building Canada Fund.
“In looking back, we can see that we would not be here today without the commitment and support of so many and I wish, as chair of the library board, to make that known to members of the community and to thank everybody who has helped get us where we are,” she said.
“Now, with the hiring of the technology co-ordinator, we can look forward,” Cunningham added.
“We can look forward to providing the services and support that the citizens of this town deserve because after all, a library and technology centre belongs to them.
Meanwhile, Community Services manager George Bell told council Monday night that work on the new library and technology centre is moving along on budget and on schedule.
“We are 87 percent complete, and are looking for an April 30 substantial completion date, realizing the landscaping will not be complete and will have to be a deficiency,” he noted.
Bell said the interior construction moved forward steadily over the winter months, and that contractors have completed plumbing, heating, millwork, flooring, trim, and the majority of the painting.
Electricians are installing light fixtures and the suspended ceiling has been installed, with the majority of the tiles up.
Bell added they are waiting for the heat exchanger for the heat recovery system, which is supposed to be here Friday, but the cooling tower for it has arrived and was put up Monday.
The masons are laying stone for the fireplace, and there has been significant progress on the exterior stonework thanks to the good weather, he told council.
All of the wiring for the technology centre is completed, and Bell now is waiting for the arrival of equipment and furnishings.
Bell said contracts have been awarded for shelving ($102,877), radio frequency identification system ($92,073), computers and computer furnishings ($158,271.47), and lounge furniture and circulation desk ($65,135.92) for a total of $418,358.
They have a budget of $531,222 for equipment and furnishings, and still need to purchase window coverings, adaptive work stations, security equipment, and training for staff to use the new equipment.
“Overall, the project has moved forward without issue, and we are confident we will complete it on time and on budget,” Bell concluded.
