By Laurie Watt

Barrie council is demanding the Barrie Public Library “think outside the box” about making pickup and dropoff available outside the main branch.

Put forward by Ward 6 Coun. Michael Prowse and Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard, the idea was initially rejected by the library board, because it was neither cost-effective nor efficient. It would also have non-unionized recreation staff performing library services, and would require a daily courier.

Council, however, told the board to take another look at the possibility that could cost $50,000 per year.

“The cost to do this is minimal. It’s an opportunity for us to allow greater access to the library to wards 6 and 7 residents and also the entire south end,” said Brassard, who chairs the city’s community services committee. “This is a big deal for people who live in the south end. This is the kind of stuff we have to be creative with.”

Brassard said he couldn’t understand why a computer at the Holly youth centre couldn’t be connected to the library’s catalogue and ordering system, to enable people who wanted to browse or reserve a book while their children participated in recreation programs.

A satellite library branch is to be built in the Painswick area and open in 2010. Despite its being in the south end, its location still is not convenient to southwest residents, said Brassard, and the opening of the branch shouldn’t preclude additional services that make using the library more convenient.

If the book return/pick up does occur at the Holly Rec Centre, Brassard said there would be no reason why the city couldn’t expand it further to other recreation centres.