$9.5 million needed for improvement to services
By Rita Trichur
The Ottawa Public Library says run-down buildings, overcrowded branches and a complete loss of provincial funding are making libraries “dysfunctional” and leaving patrons weary of waiting in long lines.
The Library Board says it needs $9.5 million from City Council over the next 10 years to keep the situation in check.
“The carpets are ripped and torn. The roofs of some of the library buildings are leaking,” says Coun. Karin Howard, who sits on the Library Board. “They don’t even buy brand new vehicles. They have two or three 10-year-old trucks as the only library vehicles.”
Chief Librarian Barbara Clubb says the 22-year-old main branch, located at the corner of Metcalfe Street and Laurier Avenue, is an eyesore and needs major renovations.
“The main library does not work well for people who are handicapped and people who come in with children in strollers (because of stairs at the entrance),” says Clubb. “There is just not enough room for more computers or to speed-up the check out.”
Major renovations is only one area of concern. Clubb says some areas of the city are not being serviced at all. The Library is planning to build a new branch in the city’s south end, but Clubb says the plans will be scrapped unless City Council can provide the funds.
“We could be facing a million dollar short-fall next year in operating costs,” says Clubb, referring to the complete loss of provincial funding.
Loss of provincial grants coupled with a hefty half million dollar settlement for a pay equity complaint, has drained the Library’s capital reserve fund.
“You have to have money on hand in case the roof falls in,” explains Clubb. “It has left us very vulnerable.”
The Library is looking to the city to make up for lost funding dollars. However, it is facing its own short-fall of $10 million. This leaves the Library in a stiff competition for the remaining available funds with other city services.
The Library Board says if the city cannot provide them with adequate funding, services will have to be cut. This could mean reduced hours, no new books, and user fees for certain library services.
“I think that’s (user fees) really despicable,” says Elisabeth Arnold, city councillor for Somerset ward. “We have more low income families in our community (Centretown) than in most other parts of the city. When an increasing number of families in our community are having to use food banks to feed their families, obviously they are not going to be able to pay to take a book out of the library.”