THE BUDGET

THE BUDGET By Maurice Brenner Deputy Mayor/Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering With the Municipal Budget process now underway across Municipalities across Durham Region, I wanted to focus this weeks column on one of the core services that Municipalities fund. “Public Libraries” and why its so important that this public service is not overlooked. In Ontario, Public Libraries are governed under the Public Libraries Act, while Municipalities appoint Library Boards, the Legislation is designed that they operate independent of the shareholder Municipality that funds them with all services provided free. To access all that is free from a Public Library is to become a member which is free. And with your membership it opens the door to much more than just books. Quoting Albert Einstein “ The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” If Einstein was alive today, he would have expanded what he meant since Libraries today can be accessed physically or digitally on-line. Libraries throughout history has provided important/creative resources that contributes to experiencing and lifelong long learning and needs to be seen as a community asset filled with , knowledge. So as your Municipality is setting its budgets and you ask yourself why are we using taxpayers money to fund Libraries, Here are some of my thoughts as to what I believe makes them a worthwhile investment. 1. Libraries contributes to local businesses by creating opportunities through services like maker space and abilities to access free computers and access to the internet. It provides forums to host business meetings in a private digital work space. 2. It has a data base made up of its members that enables ongoing feedback, it utilizes community outreach programs in parks, shopping facilities and events that the Municipality offers. Librarians do not just shuffle books but performs miracles daily through their wisdom. 3. Libraries are the keepers of history, be it books, magazines and what is now becoming extinct newspaper archives. 4. While the Internet can deliver real time information, it does not provide context. Libraries provide tools to evaluate information enabling their members to dig deeper into topics to understand the complexity of issues with up-to-date information. Libraries offers choices. 5. Even with technological advances, Books continue to be major reason to visit the library – whether those books are print, audio, large print, or other formats. 6. Libraries offer a range of programs for everyone such as children’s story time, makerspaces that provides creative learning opportunities, places to stimulate the minds of older adults. Libraries are a complete free community resource. 7. Libraries offer free use of computers and wifi,which enables barrier free access and ability to research, and apply for jobs, 8. Accessibility. Libraries are barrier free , a place (physical and virtual) to access information that keeps members informed 9. In many Municipalities, Libraries provide public service such as warming areas, and places to host hot meals for those that are homeless So this year while financial resources continues to be a challenge for all of us, let’s not forget about our Public Libraries and why this Free Public Service continues to need Municipal funding for its day to day operations. Libraries are more than just bricks and mortar.