Perth South is nearing a temporary solution for library services for residents.
CAO Fred Tranquilli says despite an ongoing disagreement with the St. Marys and Stratford Public Libraries, which provided service to Perth South residents up until the start of this fiscal year, a solution in Stratford is being worked out.
"So the Stratford Public Library is prepared to offer Perth South residents non-resident cards, which would provide Perth South residents with access to the digital collection at the Stratford Library, which includes books and courses and a number of other important features that residents use," Tranquilli explained.
Tranquilli says St. Marys is not willing to offer the non-resident cards. He adds Perth South will reimburse all residents who purchase a card.
"Council has committed to reimburse Perth South residents for the costs of a non-resident card, at $120 per card. We're just working with Stratford now to see if we can coordinate invoicing so that people don't have to come to the Perth South Town Hall with their bill, just to make things a little more convenient," said Tranquilli.
In recent correspondence to Perth South Council from the Stratford Public Library, which was discussed at the May 21 council meeting, Stratford made it known they would be willing to negotiate a permanent services contract for the 2025 fiscal year. Tranquilli says council wants to find a permanent solution and will want to consider their options by at least the fourth quarter of this fiscal year.
"One option would be to make a contract with Stratford directly. One could also involve issuing a request for proposals, which could then give the Perth County Information Network an opportunity to bid on Perth South's Library Services Agreement, but the library services for 2025 is not something that council has yet decided on," Tranquilli concluded.