Re: “Library Board refuses move to new school site,” Aug. 4 edition Athabasca Advocate
This is a very catchy heading indeed. However, it is entirely misleading.
The Library Board was up against the wall when the notion of attaching the current library to the new school was proposed. The board was informed that if they didn’t agree to the new location adjacent to the multiplex, there would be no new library. There was no negotiation; take it or leave it. In the real world, they call this bargaining in bad faith. Accept our offer or get nothing at all.
That was then. This is now. I can’t believe how short sighted some of our council members are. Go back and negotiate with the school board, says this sage group – Father knows best. Negotiate with what? Again, bargaining in bad faith.
All that was promised at the beginning of the project is no more. The actual space will be smaller. There will be no room for archives. This is not what a municipal library should be.
Now is our chance to make it a vibrant, happening place where people can browse, use the computers, chat with other patrons, have a cup of coffee and then perhaps wander over to the archives section. Look to the future, councillors! Don’t stick us ‘somewhere’ in the vicinity of the new structure. I can imagine your reaction if you were told you had to move your business, and oh yeah, you will be getting quite a bit less space than originally promised.
It is a slap in the face to current and former (this includes me) library board members to be told to go back to the drawing board. This is not town council’s decision, and to say, “I don’t think there have been enough meetings with all members in the room,” is just self-serving politics. Stop being paternalistic and draconian and help the board achieve their goals, instead of making them jump through unnecessary hoops. The end result will not change.
Town council dropped the ball with their stance upon hearing the news about 75 full-time Athabasca University jobs and at least $5 million per year having left Athabasca since 2012, and your decision that it “isn’t really town council’s place.”
Don’t drop the ball on this one.
Linda Bonneville
