The St. Marys Public Library Board has released an open letter addressing the recent funding changes proposed by the Township of Perth South.
The letter emphasizes the critical role of the local library in providing free access to services and fostering literacy and lifelong learning.
"We have provided library services to residents in Perth South at a subsidized rate to ensure free access for all," stated Cole Atlin, Chair of the St. Marys Public Library Board. "Reducing our funding request would burden St. Marys residents and be fiscally irresponsible."
The Township of Perth South plans to reduce its funding allocation significantly, which would result in a substantial cut of approximately $75,000 from the library's budget. This reduction could lead to a reduction in services, affecting programs like book deliveries and classroom visits.
"At this point, we don't have any information on why this decision was made," expressed Atlin during an interview. "It puts us in an awkward position, and we're trying to find a way to move forward with this financial shortfall if we can't come to terms with Perth South."
The library board highlighted the unfairness of the decision and stressed the importance of providing valuable services to the community. "We value being a democratic institution and advocating for literacy," Atlin remarked. "Limiting service to a community goes against our core values."
Despite the funding challenges, the library board remains committed to finding solutions and continuing to provide quality library services to all residents. They encourage open communication with Perth South to address any concerns and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
"We want to ensure that everyone has access to a library and its services," Atlin concluded. "We hope to reach a resolution that allows us to maintain the level of service our community deserves."
Following Atlin's letter, Stratford Public Library CEO Krista Robinson released a statement: “The Stratford Public Library Board stands with St. Marys Public Library and will not be reducing the requested contract amount to the Township of Perth South. We appreciate that this year has been a hard budget year for all municipalities, but cutting funding to a vital support that many in their community rely upon is fiscally irresponsible and poorly informed.”