The good news is that the inter-library loan service in Northern Ontario will continue. But libraries right across the north are learning the negative impact of a 50-percent cut in their provincial allotment.
Timmins Public Library CEO Carole Ann Churcher says Ontario Library Service North, based in Sudbury is losing half its staff – six full timers, with two reduced to part time.
Smaller libraries in particular, but all northern libraries will feel the effects, says Churcher, because staff and board training technical support and consulting will be reduced and possibly eliminated.
“So inter-library loan will continue,” she notes, “but there will be several service cuts that we have to deal with.”
The most frustrating part to librarians, according to Churcher, is the lack of consultation coming from the Doug Ford government.
“We were not consulted about what the impact could be on our organizations and our patrons. I’m not sure that they understood the impact of cutting the service.”
Fifty-five libraries have signed a statement, calling on the province to halt the cuts and consult with them on the impact.