American LibrariesSearch American Libraries  |
||
Site Navigation
Left Sidebar Items |
||
Ottawa City Council Spares Branches Marked for ClosingThe Ottawa, Ontario, city council voted March 26 to spare three library branches that were slated to shut their doors in order to close a budget gap of $1.6 million ($1.2 million U.S.).The council decided instead to trim the library system's budget by 1%, or $200,000 ($151,520 U.S.), CBC Radio reported March 26. Councilor Rick Chiarelli, who chairs the library board, said he was pleased with the action in view of the $101.5-million ($133 million U.S.) citywide budget shortfall. The controversial plan to shut the Blackburn Hamlet, Sunnyside, and Vanier branches prompted protests—including one in front of the Sunnyside branch in early March that drew 1,200—as well as opposition in the council. “It's the same thing when it comes to museums, when it comes to sports fields and outdoor rinks. These are the things that make our society what it is, and our city what it is,” said Councilor Rob Jellet in a March 17 CBC story. “How can you support closing a library? You just can't.” “The city of Toronto funds its library system at almost 60% more per capita than Ottawa, and we're supposed to be a national capital and a world-information city,” noted Chiarelli. “We have to reinforce that commitment. That means we'll have to cut some other things.” Posted March 26, 2004. |
Right Sidebar
|
|
