Blind River council has joined opposition to the provincial government’s library cuts. Council approved a motion from its library board which opposes the deep cuts to library services announced by the Doug Ford government in its April budget.
The cuts slashed provincial funding to libraries in half and could impact interlibrary loan service which allows libraries across the province to share books. It could also impact the jobs of people who deliver books through the service. Impacted in the northern service is Ontario Library Service – North. Also impacted is Southern Ontario Library Service.
Council sided with a resolution from the Township of Essa calling for restoration of provincial funding at the 2017-2018 levels.
Councillor Steven Wells, who represents council on the Blind River Library Board, said he believes that communities with libraries across the North Shore are also dealing with similar resolutions. Petitions calling on funding restoration have been posted at many local libraries.
“I’m assuming the motion, as written, has gone to other municipalities as well,” he said.
In its resolution, it was stated that the Blind River Library Board supports sustaining public services and support for libraries across the north, including First Nation libraries.
Mayor Sally Hagman read the lengthy resolution, which included calling on the provincial government to “support sustainable long-term funding” for libraries.
There was unanimous support for the resolution from council.