Library ‘info session’ more a ‘q & comments’ for residents

Roger Varley

It was billed as an information session but the public meeting on the future of the Zephyr library, held on Saturday, was designed to gather information from the local residents.

Whether the Zephyr Library remains as is or moves to the community centre appears to still be undecided.

Almost all members of council attended, as did a number of township staff and members of the library board, but the only physical information available was a diagram of the proposed redesign of Zephyr community hall to accommodate the library, a couple of aerial photos of the current library building and a marked off section to show how much floor space the hall would lose if the library moves in. There was no formal presentation regarding the proposal.

Instead, tables were set around the hall at which residents were asked to comment on five questions. The comments could either be handed in to staff or posted for all to see. The questions asked were: (a) what are the pros of having the library in the hall; (b) what are the cons; (c) how could the playground be improved; (d) how could the community hall be improved; and (e) how could the library be improved.

Roughly 50 residents attended the session.

Common themes among the posted comments were a need for better lighting and sidewalks on the street leading to the community centre, the safety of the librarian and children if the proposal goes ahead and the possibility of building an addition onto the centre. On the safety aspect, some residents claimed that because the children's section would be separated from the adult section, children would be unsupervised and the librarian would be alone to deal with anyone entering the community centre.

A sign at the store at the hamlet's main intersection claimed 432 people have signed a petition opposing the proposed library move.

Amanda Ferraro, director of community services, said there will still be time for residents to send in comments and also to take part in a Survey Monkey poll in the summer. She said she expects to give a report to council sometime in September or October, but there will be no movement on the proposal this year.