Image

Merge, close small Lambton libraries suggests consultant

February 6, 2023

Petrolia’s library is “an example of what other libraries can aspire to be.”

That from Anand Desai of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants who was assigned the task of looking at the needs of Lambton County’s libraries.

Desai recently told Lambton County councillors there is about 87,817 square feet of library space in Lambton, a little less than one square foot for every resident. About half of the county residents went to a library in 2019. There are 17,000 active cardholders who borrowed 330,000 books, movies, music and materials.

The consultant adds about 9,000 square feet of library space will be needed in the coming years to keep pace with growth in the region.

Desai says many of Lambton’s libraries are located in buildings which were not first libraries and are undersized. He pointed to the Shetland Library as an example. And, Desai says, many libraries don’t meet current accessibility standards and can’t provide a full range of services because they’re undersized.

The report suggests some small changes to libraries in Alvinston, Arkona, Port Franks, Thedford and Forest. Desai believes the Camlachie branch, will need to be expanded. Wyoming should “modernize” and increase visibility into the library. Corunna’s library needs accessibility improvements and the consultant says the county should talk to Watford to “prepare a reinvestment plan to enhance the building’s condition.”

The report also calls for the Sombra and Port Lambton libraries to be combined with an “express service point” being developed for Port Lambton. The Mooretown and Courtright libraries, it says should also be combined. Desai says the smallest branches, Shetland and Wilkesport, are undersized, outdated and unable to offer a modern experience. He says “express library service points” should be considered.

The consultant also suggested the county work with the local school boards to improve library services making sure plans don’t overlap.

The report made no mention of the Petrolia Library. When asked by Mayor Brad Loosley why it wasn’t, Desai said, Petrolia was a beautiful library which offers “meaningful community engagement.

“It is an example of what others can aspire to be,” he told Loosley.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Forest Kiwanis hope a mandarin, apple and cucumber can raise some cash for Kineto

February 7, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent “Why would somebody give 6.2 million for a banana on the wall?” That’s what Forest’s Jose Van Haastert thought after seeing what a crypto billionaire paid for a piece of conceptual art with a banana on the wall. Her family talked about the massive price tag for the art over Christmas. But the idea got Van Haastert,

Read More

Image
News

New scholarship program at Great Lakes created in honour of late Sarnia judge

February 7, 2025

Students in St. Clair Township and Sarnia will be able to apply for a new scholarship program, named in honour of an Ontario Court Justice from Sarnia. The Sarnia Community Foundation says the family of the late Anne McFadyen has set up an annual scholarship program, similar to LCCVI’s Nicol Scholarships. It will honour five graduating students from Great Lakes

Read More

Front Page

Driver taken to hospital after Inwood accident

February 7, 2025

An Alvinston woman had to be taken to hospital after an accident near Inwood Monday. Lambton OPP have yet to release any details about the crash Monday morning which occurred during foggy conditions. Witnesses say two vehicles, a van and large pickup truck, collided at the corner of Inwood and Shiloh Line Monday morning. The van was T-boned. Brooke-Alvinston Fire

Read More

Image
Sports

LCCVI on top of girls high school hockey standings

February 7, 2025

LCCVI moved into a first place tie with Chatham-Kent Secondary School in girls’ high school hockey this week with a 2-1 win over the Golden Hawks in Chatham. The Lancers are 2-0-2 in the south division this season. The regular season wraps up late next week. Playoff dates have yet to be announced.

Read More