Dear Editor,
At the September 22 Owen Sound and North Grey Union public Library (OSNGUPL) board meeting, a contract offer was presented to the Municipality of Meaford (MOM) library board. This offer of FULL library membership to ALL of MOMs residents, which include 4022 MOM/Thornbury cardholders, for a period of 2 years at an annual average cost of $125,250. was rejected by the Meaford board. This was and is a bad decision which should be reversed because of the tremendous benefits and opportunities lost to all taxpayers, for example:-
Over 100 Meaford kids bussed to school in Owen Sound can have the same benefits as their Owen Sound schoolmates;
A third library facility becomes available for use when the Thornbury library is closed for roof repairs and the Meaford library is closed for the day;
A greater selection of materials, programs and services becomes available - open 25 hours longer per week. These are just a few benefits but we must also consider the new opportunities. With help from our Deputy Mayor and the Grey County Warden, we can explore the chance to have a county wide Library system resulting in greater services, materials and economies of scale. Everyone can benefit and at a lower cost. We will have time to actually explore what is needed in the new facility to be built in Meaford. Our library board can take time to develop a sensible realistic plan for a multi purpose building to house a new library, the museum and an adult learning centre that will meet the needs or our ageing population. There is no reason why private investment cannot partner in a bold new 'hub' style venture that will be of economic benefit to all taxpayers.
David Long
