Torbay is about to lose their public library.
The local library board was informed Monday night that as part of the 2016-2017 budget process, the Department of Education will not put forward funding to pay the library’s $19000 annual lease.
The NLPL stated in a letter to the Torbay Public Library Board that without this funding the provincial library board “will be ceasing operation, and canceling the certificate for the Torbay Public Library.”
The library operated out of the Torbay town hall for 40 years until March 2015 when the Town reclaimed the space in order to accommodate a growing staff. The Town paid the lease on commercial space in the community until December, and the Provincial Government agreed to cover the rent until the end of March.
With this decision, March 31 will be the last day of operation for the library. The government’s choice to make a public library their first budget cut – rather than, say, top level salaries or the seemingly doomed Muskrat Falls project – certainly speaks to their priorities. And its not reading, learning, early childhood literacy, or Internet access for low income families or seniors.
The Torbay town council isn’t off the hook either. They took in $500,000 in increased revenue this year and have likewise refused to carry the cost. Library patrons and community members are urged to contact the Torbay Town Council, their local MHA or the Minister of Education to voice their concerns.
Article by Melissa Barbeau
The Torbay town council hasn’t simply “refused” to pay the costs, it is not a municipal matter. For 40 years they have given the library space for free when they had absolutely no obligation to do so, as libraries fall under provincial jurisdiction. Even though revenues for the town has increased, the number of residents it has to provide services to has also increased. Within the past few years, the town has seen a lot of big upgrades, and there are more to come, and now they are being chastised for not providing a library that the provincial government is responsible for. Although it’s fate is now somewhat unknown, I’d be shocked if the town doesn’t come up with a solution that works for everyone involved, as they always do.