Duane Hicks
With town council considering cutting the library budget, and possibly necessitating a reduction of its hours of operation, the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre has asked the public to let it know why the library is so special to them.
And the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It’s been interesting to see the way different people use the library,” noted library CEO Caroline Goulding, referring to the public’s feedback so far.
“For instance, I just read one this morning [Monday] that must have come in on the weekend, where someone was talking about how the cost of pocket books has gone up so much.
“This person likes to come and borrow from the library because they’re on a fixed income,” Goulding explained.
“Or there’s other people that come and say, ‘I really love coming and using your computers,'” she noted.
“We have students that talk about library time, and families.
“Everyone uses the library in a slightly different way,” she reiterated. “So that’s been kind of interesting to see.”
Goulding said many respondents have stressed how important the library is in their lives.
“There’s one that talks about how the library fulfils them, which is very moving in a lot of ways,” she remarked.
“Sometimes you forget how important the library is to a lot of different people in terms of what it does for them.
“A lot of people have talked about how nice it is to have a place for teenagers to go other than just hanging out in the streets, which is really good to see because it’s something we’ve been trying to increase,” added Goulding.
“So it’s nice that people have seen that, yeah, we do have teenagers that just come and hang out here all of the time–which is awesome.”
The question–“Is there something special about our library?”–was asked by Coun. Doug Kitowski at the Feb. 21 budget meeting. Goulding said the library asking the public for their responses as a means to answer that question.
“Not everyone is a library user and if you don’t use the library, maybe you don’t always see the value in it,” she reasoned.
“But for the people that use the library, we are an incredibly valuable community resource,” she stressed.
“I think it’s important to show that value.”
Goulding clarified town council can’t reduce the library’s hours of operation per se. But it can reduce its budget, which possibly could result the reduced of hours.
“It’s up to the board to try and figure out how to absorb that cost, whatever it ends up being,” she explained.
At that Feb. 21 budget meeting, council was looking to shave $26,320 from the library budget. This could be achieved by reducing library hours from 59 hours a week to 54.
The public has responded via social media, such as the library’s Facebook page, as well as by writing notes and sticking them on a wall at the library.
Here’s just a few of the comments posted on Facebook:
“I love the activities that are offered. I have done bread-making, learned some Ojibwe, watched movies, etc. Those are just the few things that I can think of in a couple seconds,” wrote Monica Armour.
“Our union [ETFO] has also rented the Shaw Hub room for workshops several times,” she added.
“That also doesn’t include the times that I have taken my school classes there for one reason or other, or when I have borrow books, audio books, electronic books, etc.,” Armour noted.
“What’s not to love? The variety of activities is wonderful,” echoed Pam Guild. “My family has enjoyed movies, crafts, Magic cards, knitting, concerts, Family Day activities, ‘Trunk or Treat,’ Christmas festivities, the book club.
“Not to mention the book loans, the use of computers, the quiet study rooms, a chess board, a community puzzle to work on, [and] all the cozy nooks to snuggle in with a book.
“The staff is so helpful and friendly–they take the time to know patrons by name, their likes and dislikes, their family members–they’re so personable,” added Guild.
“It’s a wonderful place to spend a rainy afternoon with the kids or an evening out of the house,” she concluded.
“Love, love, love the library and recommend it whenever I can.”
“I love the special assistance provided to seniors helping them to use devices to read books and just instruction on how to use some of the new technologies,” said Jane Glllon.
“Our library provides a premiere service for all ages and should be maintained and expanded.”
“It’s such a beautiful facility. My kids are there every week,” noted Jana Riches.
“I’m sure there are worse places they could be spending their free time,” she remarked. “I’m glad they have chosen the library.
“It’s a place they can feel safe, accepted, and, most importantly, out of trouble.
“The town council needs to consider the many preventative benefits of what the library has to offer long-term and forget about short-term savings,” Riches added.
“I’ve always had soft spot for our library,” noted Sue Bragg.
“I love to peacefully roam the aisles looking at books. A lovely way to decompress after a long week,” she reasoned.
“The staff is always so helpful. I absolutely love our library!”
Adrienne Lake said the library is a “great free place for everyone of all ages to enjoy.”
“The staff members are very helpful and welcoming,” she added.
“I’ve taken advantage of the library and its many programs over the years now, and am quite impressed with all of its staff and how they treat [people] there.”
“Wherever we winter, one of the first things I do is join a library,” said Sandra Brunetta.
“All libraries are wonderful places; our library is especially wonderful in its friendliness,” she wrote. “Someone welcomes you.
“It provides a safe place in which to learn, to settle in, to read or just page through.
“It allows me to take home knowledge/fun/pleasure in books that smell like books, that I can hold and turn pages, and shut and pick up again,” added Brunetta.
“Our library encourages growth, hosts book clubs, has friendly spaces for authors to meet-and-greet and sign,” she cited.
“We are so fortunate to have our library.”
“I love the books, access to Internet, 3-D printers, quiet space, meeting room,” wrote Ilka Milne.
“I wish the hours were longer,” she added.
The library board is hoping to meet with council before any decisions are made.
The next budget meeting is scheduled for next Monday (March 6).
