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Regina PL Slated to Close Three BranchesAfter a last-minute appeal by the mayor, the Regina (Sask.) Public Library board agreed to reconsider its November 26 decision to permanently eliminate three branches by March 2004, close its central library’s art gallery next summer, and lay off 27 employees. Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said December 3 that he had initially supported the Canadian library’s decision to close the Dunlop Art Gallery and three branches but now believed “we made a mistake” by failing to get input from the public, the Regina Leader-Post reported December 4.The closures were prompted by a $1-million ($767,150 U.S.) operations deficit caused by a pension-fund shortfall and an expected drop in property tax revenues. Some 300 people turned out for a noon rally December 4 to protest the closures and layoffs, waving placards and marching from the library’s central branch to city hall. One of the protesters was Saskatchewan Minister of Community Resources and Employment Joanne Crofford, who told the Leader-Post that if the board decides to rescind its decision and call for public consultation, it may look to the provincial government for help. Under current legislation, Saskatchewan does not provide money for local library services other than programs that support provincewide resource sharing. The board met with the mayor late into the night of December 4, during which a decision was made to delay the closures and layoffs an additional two months to allow time for holding public hearings. Posted December 8, 2003. |
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