Image

Report recommending small library closures raises concerns

February 10, 2023

A consultant’s recommendation that some of Lambton’s smaller libraries be closed or merged with others is drawing some concern.

Lambton County councillors recently got a first look at a study of the area’s libraries.

Anand Desai of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants said 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.

Desai suggested Shetland be closed and replaced with an “express library service point.”

The report also calls for the service points in Port Lambton and Wilkesport.
The suggestions raised concerns on social media.

“How much was spent (on the consultant) which could’ve gone into those smaller libraries to keep them open?” said Bob Bressette who added the consultant was only making recommendations.

“They don’t have to be put into motion. I recommend the County of Lambton to not close these satellites for the betterment of the communities in which they serve.”

Others said they loved their little libraries because of the people who work there. “Half the reason we go to our library is because our librarian is amazing. She makes programs that are interesting to us and is super helpful when my kids get interested in weird thing,” said Melissa Lussier.

While the county is in charge of programming and staffing at Lambton libraries, each municipality owns the buildings they are housed in. The communities are responsible for the upkeep of the buildings.

Dawn-Euphemia Mayor Al Broad recognizes the Shetland Library is small and not accessible to everyone in the community. “We know we’ve got a bit of a problem there. To have it fully accessible, with no barriers, that will be very difficult to do with a small building like that.”

Broad says it would likely only happen if the township could purchase land to expand the building. He says they have been talking to local landowners, but so far, there has not been a deal.

Broad adds the municipality invested $2 million in the Florence Community centre several years ago and it is one of the newest libraries in the county.
Dawn-Euphemia council is expected to review the consultants report and talk about what could be done in the future.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Crocheting senior of the year

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent When she was in her 30s, a neighbour offered to teach Ruth Anne Mater to crochet. It looked fun, so she picked up a hook. It seems to many as though her hands have not been idle since. Monday, Mater was honoured as Dawn-Euphemia’s Senior of the Year. Mayor Al Broad says Mater “has been a quiet

Read More

Image
Front Page

Wyoming’s Jackson taken by Yankees in MLB Draft

July 14, 2025

The Independent Core Jackson may be headed to the Big Apple. The Wyoming native was selected in the fifth round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees on Monday afternoon. Jackson has played college baseball at the University of Utah for the past two years. He slashed .364/.445/.641 with 12 home runs, 44 RBI, and 20 stolen bases

Read More

Image
Front Page

Information and Privacy Commissioner orders Petrolia to release 2021 letter from mayor banning town councillor

July 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Nearly four years, after Petrolia Mayor Brad Loosley banned a councillor from attending in camera meetings, the town has been forced to release the letter spelling out his reasons. In June 2022, while investigating a Code of Conduct complain against the mayor for the release of confidential information to The Independent, the investigator found Loosley had banned

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flyers sign veterans, Flags go with youth

July 13, 2025

Barry Wright/The Independent The Petrolia Flyers have reached into east Lambton for a pair of players for the coming season. Alvinston’s Joey Hayter and Ty Moffatt of Watford are both joining the PJHL team. Hayter, 19, has played the past two seasons with the Blenheim Blades including scoring 15 goals and adding 31 assists in 51 regular season and playoff

Read More