Saturday 24 October 2015

NEW! October 2015 Town of W-S Library Expansion Proposal (16,000 sq.ft. library addition) & presentation.


Background: 

  • Current facility: 14,215 sq.ft. (or 15,425 sq.ft. incl. shared municipal space), built in 2001 for a population of 22,859 (= prov. minimum recommended 0.65 sq.ft. per capita). Population June 2015: 46,485. 
  • Provincial guidelines for a central, stand-alone library building in Ontario, serving between 35,000 and 75,000 residents: 65,625 sq. ft minimum (= 5x larger than current library; size of Stouffville Canadian Tire Store with Garden Centre).
  • Expansion plans have been postponed annually since 2007: first to '09, then '10, then '12, then '14. In 2014 plans were developed to allow a new council "to hit the road running" (Emmerson)--with an additional 21,995 sq. ft. library space. In 2015 these plans were rejected by a new mayor and council, with a smaller proposal of 16,000 additional sq.ft. (27% reduction)--an appropriate minimum for a 2016 population but, like in 2001, not planned for growth.
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Background:  2011 Whitchurch-Stouffville Library Petition (400+ signatories; presented to Town Council)

Purpose: To raise awareness of the significant materials, space, and staffing needs of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library, and of long-term funding neglect.


"We, residents of Whitchurch-Stouffville, petition Town Council to develop and approve a plan to increase per person library funding to the provincial average by 2015, and to begin immediately to develop plans for a library expansion" (click to sign online petition)




This petition reflects the "key issues" identified by the Library in the 2011 Budget Plan (p. 235): "Adequate funding to sustain and grow the Library; Staffing limitations; Space constraints" (NB: "sustain ... library" already added 2009; see also Board SWOT Analysis)
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2013 Update
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Summary:
  • In 2011 first new full-time position created in over a decade--but only at the cost of flat-lining material acquisitions at 2010 levels and cutting back hours of part-time employees.
  • 2001 (pop. 22,859): 9.61 staff (full-time equivalent); Library visitors in person: 100,150; circulation: 116,166 
  • 2008 (pop. 32,000; up 40% from '01): 9.91 staff (up only 3% from '01); Library visitors in person: 173,300 (2008; up 73%); circulation: 171,198 (up 47% from '01)
  • Provincial guidelines: 1 staff per 2000 residents, or 22 Library staff (FTE) for W-S's current population of 44,000. In 2011, the Library was able to hire a 10th staff (FTE).
  • Library portion of Town's operating expenses dropped from 5.1% in 2004 to 3% in 2007 and to an historic low of 2% in 2011.
  • Between 2009 and 2010, per capita funding for the Library dropped 8%, from $25.43 to $23.44. In the same year, Recreation programming & facilities increased 34%, from $127.06 to $170.33
  • Between 2006 and 2010, per person expenditures for the Library has declined from $29.39 to $23.44. In 2009, we were 43% below the provincial average for communities our size (2010 BMA, p. 124; compare 2013 BMA Municipal Study). In contrast, W-S's recreation programming and facilities funding has averaged 11% above the provincial avg. levels. 
The Library Board's 2009 SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis notes the following key weaknesses and threats:
  • "Limited space, ... continuous under-funding affect[ing] staffing and resources, ... disconnect/lack of shared vision between library board/staff and municipal council/staff" (p.15).

A pillar of the Town's corporate strategy since at least 2006 has been "balanced growth and community sustainability." The Library plays a critical role in community sustainability--intellectual, social, and cultural.
In each of the last three years, the Library Board/ Administration has drawn attention to the significant threats and weaknesses to this aspect community's social infrastructure (Budget Reports 2009, '10, '11).
It is now time for Town Council to act.

Petition Coordinator: Arnold Neufeldt-Fast, PhD, MA

    Next steps: Please continue to make your views known to the mayor and ward councillors;

     High school students in particular should let council know if the Library is sufficient for your academic and meeting needs.

     
Bkgd to Jan 2012 Town Budget Meeting: (see budget here, pp. 225-238).


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