BARRIE - The Barrie Public Library Board has asked a councillor to hush up about a storefront library in southwest Barrie.
In a tersely worded June 3 letter, library board chairperson Catherine Virgo tells Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard the board has already made up its mind to have the next branch located in the Holly Community Centre – and to stop talking about a storefront location, which could confuse the public.
“We view the recent comments attributed to you in (The Advance) as counter-productive to our efforts,” she said. “Although there are a number of options for the next branch location, the board’s primary interest is in seeing the branch located in the Holly Community Centre.”
Brassard and Ward 6 Coun. Michael Prowse first raised the idea of extending library services to the southwest via a bookmobile three years ago. The idea, however, went nowhere.
Then they suggested the library board consider a book pickup/drop-off at the Holly Community Centre. The library board wasn’t keen on the idea. Then they suggested the library board consider a branch in the southwest.
And after hearing a satellite library at the Holly Centre would cost millions, they focused on finding ways to get library services to their residents – without the cost of adding to the city’s newest rec centre or waiting years for the library board to raise the funds.
The new Painswick branch, for example, was a library board strategic priority in 2006. The city came close to losing the site due to a clause in the development agreement that required work begin by March 31 this year. The board broke ground March 30.
Virgo told Brassard his comments would “confuse the public and ultimately cast a negative light on a new branch” and told him the library board has the job of governing and planning library services.
Brassard, however, said he and Prowse are elected to respond to residents’ concerns and demands for city-funded services.
“What I’m more interested in is expanding library services because I know from talking to teachers there’s a literacy problem. I want more places for young families to take their kids to read. There’s a need in southwest Barrie – it’s that simple,” he said.
“The (library) board has taken a very political position on this, when in fact all I’m trying to do is boost the library, to extend its services to an area of the city that desperately wants it and needs it.”
He said he’s going to attend the June 24 library board meeting to hear what the architects have to say about adding to the recreation centre.
Prowse was offended by the letter. He said Brassard deserves a thank-you letter for pushing the cause.
lwatt@simcoe.com