By Cara Edell
A recent report that proposes Ottawa Public Library budget cuts of up to 20 per cent has distressed Centretown residents, who argue there is no alternative to their jeopardized services.
In a worst-case scenario, the library would be forced to close four of its branches, shut down the remaining branches for three weeks to reduce hours of operation, and drop the bookmobile.
The report is part of the city’s universal program review, which will attempt to slash an estimated $120 million from the municipality’s 2004 operating budget.
“I’m not happy with it, not at all,” says Centretown resident Judy Janes. “I grew up in the library. I practically live in the library. So I don’t want to see anything cut.”
Statistics show 458,000 people use the city’s 33 libraries. Closing four undetermined branches would result in 100,000 residents losing service near their homes, the report states.
“I think all things have to be balanced, if there are budget cuts that have to be made,” says Dana Williams, who frequently borrows books from the library. “But I have to wonder if some of the things that have been said sound maybe a little dire. Maybe some of it’s intended to pluck at people’s heartstrings a bit.”
Barbara Clubb, chief administrator of the library system, says it is the overriding concern of council to address Ottawa’s budgetary shortfall.
“Nobody likes doing cuts. None of the options are pleasant,” she says. “Everyone is feeling heavy-hearted these days.”
Library frequenter George Hines agrees the city is spending too much money. He says he would like libraries to stay open 24 hours a day, but accepts the possibility of service cuts.
“If they feel, after looking at the whole picture, that it’s necessary, regrettably let it happen.”
But Hines says he does not support the library’s pitch to possibly cancel its bookmobile.
The brightly coloured bus stocked with books serves about 1,000 people per week who have trouble getting to a library.
“It serves people who are isolated in abilities and distance,” says Richard Stark, the library’s manager of mobile services.
Colleen Taylor says she and her sons visit the bookmobile at the Cambridge Street School every Friday afternoon.
“It’s easier for my kids and I to get here than to go downtown. It would be a horrible thing if the bookmobile was cut — especially for people who can’t get to the other libraries.”
About 40 per cent of bookmobile users are seniors — some of whom are frail or lack modes of transportation, states the report.
The library homebound services, which directly delivers materials to over 800 Ottawa residents in private houses, nursing homes, or hospitals, could also be on the chopping block.
Janes says she has a friend who is handicapped and relies on a homebound service.
“There’s nobody to get books for her once it’s cancelled. So that’s not very good because there are a lot of seniors in Centretown,” she says.
Janes says she is most bothered by the fact that a 20 per cent budget cut would eliminate library workshops that train and familiarize older adults with new computer technologies. More than 50 workshops were offered in 2002 alone, which helped participants become fully informed citizens, the report states.
“I find that when I come to the library to take courses on how to use the computer, it’s a great help and a great benefit to me,” says Janes.
“When those courses are dropped, there’s really no place to get help. I mean there is, but you have to pay.”
A 20-per-cent cutback in the library’s budget would also include a reduction in the selection of new books, magazines, audio-visual materials, and electronic resources, the report outlines.
The report will be discussed at city council later this month.