Letter to Editor: why a replacement library

A Replacement Library in Hantsport?   Why?

For over half a century, we have had a Public Library in Hantsport.  It is one of the 11 Branches of the Annapolis Valley Regional Library (AVRL).   To have a Branch here, the Town of Hantsport must provide both the space and the furniture used by the library, and must also maintain it (heat, light, cleaning, repairs, etc.)   [Note: The Town does not pay the library staff, nor buy the books or computers; they are paid for by AVRL.]

Fifty-three years ago, in 1960, when Hantsport need a new School, We had our own School Board.  So the Town built the school, paid for it out of our Town taxes and owned it outright.  Townsfolk insisted that the new school contain room for the Public Library.  And so, from the beginning, the Town of Hantsport provided space inside its school for that Library, and it has remained there for over 50 years.  

However, Hantsport no longer has its own School Board, and now the Town does not own the school.  The school is now 54 years old, and is going to be renovated.  The Public Library could not remain in the school unless the Town agreed to pay $170,000 to the School Board.   Due to that high cost, and also because of the serious limitations on Aopen-hours@ (which always happen when you have a general public library inside a primary school), Council unanimously voted ANo@ on July 25, 2013.   Therefore, the Hantsport Branch of the AVRL must vacate the school before end of August, 2015 (18 months from now).

Then Council set up a Library Advisory Committee , which began meeting on Oct. 7, 2013, to explore “options and costs for providing public library services” in Hantsport.   This Committee includes members from the Town, Kings County, West Hants and Glooscap First Nations, because folks from all those areas use the Hantsport Library.

Because of the money problems facing the Town, rather than waste time talking about a new building, the Committee looked at existing available buildings in Hantsport, particularly those already owned by the Town, which could be used for a replacement library.  The Canadian Legion Building@ at #10 Main Street quickly attracted their attention.  In November, the Committee unanimously voted to recommend to Council that we focus our work on that building, because of: Town ownership, great location and its structural integrity.  [The Legion building has 1400 square feet upstairs – somewhat larger than the present library -- and was very well built.]   Since then, the Committee has been nailing down what renovations would have to be made to the upstairs (e.g., a better ventilation system, wheelchair ramps, etc.), and what they would cost.   On Jan. 7, 2014, Council directed that this investigation continue, and that preliminary plans and estimated costs for the necessary renovations be drawn up and presented to Council for review when they are ready.  Then Council will take a decision as to whether or not to continue with the “Replacement Library Project.”        

Joe Foy, Hantsport,  member, Town of Hantsport Library Advisory Committee