Last week, Oshawa Council unanimously passed the 2.91% budget increase that the library board requested.  Most of the public delegations were about the importance of the library.  There also was a recent letter to the editor about the library: http://www.durhamregion.com/opinion-story/5268212-to-close-libraries-because-of-internet-is-crazy/

We just want to thank everyone for their support.  We had a great grassroots campaign advocating the libraries and what we have to offer.  

If you’re looking for the heart of any community, look no further than the local library. It’s the one place in Canada where the doors are open to everyone, whether you’re

• filling out an online job application or using resources to help you pass your job certification exams;
• sitting in a school library media center learning skills to prepare you for a lifetime of learning in our digital world or a grandmother learning to e-mail your grandson overseas;
• studying for college exams or living somewhere where the library provides your only access to education beyond the high school level;
• researching your past or looking for citizenship and a new home in Canada;
• the richest person or someone without a home,

the library is there for you. It is Canada’s great equalizer, providing everyone the same access to information and opportunities for success.

A 2006 study concluded that there was indeed a future for public libraries in the Internet age. Those surveyed in the study said that the public library was central to a healthy community, especially in the eyes of those who were most actively engaged in their communities. They said that the public library was a safe and appealing place that spends public money well. In contrast to a study funded by the Benton Foundation six years earlier, this one found that a majority would rather raise taxes than cut library services or force libraries to charge fees. The public library topped the list of public services, outranking police and schools. Nine out of 10 of those surveyed believed that libraries would be needed in the future, regardless of technology developments. But, amazingly, to the librarians, the public surveyed did not see library funding as being in jeopardy.

 In Ontario, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries did a survey of residents over 18 in November 2005 to ascertain Ontarians’ views and perceptions, and to see what had changed since the previous Ontario survey in 2000. This study found that in-person use was almost identically strong, with 2 of 3 of Ontarians having a library card and using the library. The library had held its ground as a respected pillar of communities. The same percentage as before (27%) said the library would become even more important in the future, and a similar 25% ranking the PL at the top of publicly funded services. A majority disagreed that the public library would no longer be a building and that everything would be accessed electronically. This survey showed that there is a lot of room to raise the profile of library Web sites and Web-accessible resources. The availability of help in using the Internet is not generally recognized. There was a positive change in the perceptions of younger respondents (ages 19-24) since 2000, in that they were now more likely to have a library card and to believe public libraries will become more important in the future.

 

The library will be presenting the proposed operating budget on January 16, 2015.  At the last library board meeting, it was said that if this budget is not accepted, there will be service and job cuts. If you are concerned about the negative impact any cuts will have on the services our library provides to the people of Oshawa, please attend the public forum on January 19 at 6:30 PM at City Hall, fill out this form, or contact a councillor listed above asking that they approve the Library's proposed budget and propose no further cuts.

Cuts to the library budget ultimately will result in cuts to public service such as story times, access to information, hours of operation, programming, or collections. Over the last three years, there have been a series of cuts to the library budget and the reserves are empty. Our public library is a gathering place for kids, seniors and folks of all ages.  After years of suffering the corrosive effects of inflation, Library service has already been cut to the bone.  We need you to contact Oshawa's councillors immediately urging them to accept the Library's budget proposal. By supporting the Library's budget, we can continue to open you to a world of possibilities and serve the public happily ever after. 


For further timelines and information:

• January 16, 2015, beginning at 9:00 a.m.: City Council Special Meeting -External Agency Presentations
• January 19, 2015, beginning at 6:30 p.m.: City Council Special Meeting -To receive public input on the budget
• January 20, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - City Council Special Meeting - Budget Deliberations
• January 23, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: City Council Special Meeting - Budget Review/Approval
• January 26, 2015 (tentative), 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: City Council Special Meeting - Budget review/approval continued (tentative)

Questions regarding the proposed budget can be submitted via e-mail to budgets@oshawa.ca. Resident feedback must be submitted by January 18, 2015 to ensure that it is included in the 2015 City budget process.

Contact Manager, Financial Reporting and Planning Stephanie Sinnott, CPA, CGA
Location:4th Floor, Rundle Tower, City Hall
50 Centre Street South
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 3Z7
Phone:905-436-3311, ext. 3851
Toll Free:1-800-667-4292
Fax:905-436-3895TTY:905-436-5627
Email:service@oshawa.ca

Template for letter:

I am writing in support of  the Oshawa Public Libraries budget. The library offers services that are in align with the core values of Oshawa. The library budget needs to be supported by council for the families, marginalized members, and everyone in the great city of Oshawa.  Cuts to library funding are cuts to everyone in the community. Few would dispute the relevance of libraries to the quality of life in our city, but not many people realize the scope of service provided by Oshawa Public Libraries. In addition to circulating hundreds of thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, and other materials, our libraries present thousands of programs for everyone from kids to seniors, provide free Internet access to residents who do not have it in their home, deliver materials to those who cannot leave their homes, and answer thousands and thousands of questions about everything from homework assignments to how to find a job. Please support funding for Oshawa Public Libraries. 


Councillors emails:  mayor@oshawa.ca; aengland@oshawa.ca; jaker@Oshawa.ca; dcarter@Oshawa.ca; bchapman@Oshawa.ca; ndiamond@Oshawa.ca; rkerr@Oshawa.ca; jneal@Oshawa.ca; npidwerbecki@Oshawa.ca; dsanders@Oshawa.ca; jshields@Oshawa.ca 

Do you have a CUPE 960 Bookmark? Why not? There are different exciting designs to choose from and they do a great job at explaining what library workers do for the community. Have a look!