EDITORIAL

Where’s Aylmer’s new library?

Aylmer sector’s new library remains in a political limbo. It’s political because any municipal file will not move along unless it has political horsepower behind it. Where’s that energy? 

No one claims the present Lucy Faris Library is sufficient for our growing population (with more school kids and active adults). It cannot meet the needs of the city itself in providing information and research services to the public, professional or domestic.

Nor should this be about only real estate. A new library is not just another municipal building, like sand storage, a truck garage or more offices for an overweight civil service. It’s a service. A library is a major community tool and resource – shouldn’t we judge it in that optic?

What the new library concerns  (besides the building, with re-enforced floors, etc.) are, at least, the library’s contents (its research and reference tools, its collections, connectivity to the rest of the world, to universities and other research centres, digital collections, off-site collections, etc.); second, the staff: are they customer-centred and lovers of libraries? Are they thinking of the public’s needs (off-hours, PD days, holiday openings, etc.), what about retail-service training?), and, third, services to the community: not only very-modern research tools, but facilities and space to accommodate public gatherings (like readings), comfortable reading and study space, generous Internet access – basically more engagement with the nearby community and users (and taxpayers). Much more than merely a new building!

The new library requires a new commitment to involve and attract the population. Besides the promotion of hours and services, the library can serve and stimulate even more people via increased services and public events – readings, book launches, speakers, slams, public debates and presentations, exhibitions, etc.

It appears that city council has already, sort-of, maybe, decided to go with a new central “monument” library.  The five-star hockey arena seemed to sail through council with minor objections; why is a library, the workshop for the brains in any community, still stuck on the B-list?  A central Wow! library – an architectural icon to enhance Gatineau’s reputation – is super-expensive and, perhaps, not as functional as some options.

The strongest alternative option is a city-wide network of improved libraries. This will benefit families, school kids, seniors, disabled people and others better than a down-town monument with its inevitable transit and parking mess. A library network fits the city’s “urban village” model of development. Rapid-transit, resource-sharing and a network format for public events would make smaller libraries more efficient and resourceful, at a much lower cost.

This deserves action. And leadership. And long-term vision. Our local councillors have been too quiet on this file, but as we near next year’s city elections, it’s time the Aylmer library becomes a real-substance issue that matters to our communal lives. Our struggling library is already an impressive place, but citizen demand is running high. Councillors, it’s Library Week, October 15-22, what a great time for an announcement!