Libraries in Durham Region say they’re concerned about their ability to serve their communities following recent provincial funding cuts.
The Clarington Public Library says it relies heavily on a program that allows libraries to share books with each other.
However, under the new budget, that program will be eliminated at the end of this week.
The Clarington Public Library’s director and CEO, Linda Kent, says thousands of books changed hands last year alone and they’re no longer sure how they’ll fill that gap.
Get breaking National news
“Some libraries have internal courier systems, we do not. We use the SOLS (Southern Ontario Library Services) courier system to move our books around, which means if you borrow a book in Newcastle and you want it delivered to Courtice, we won’t be able to do it for you anymore,” said Kent.
“You will actually have to drive out and pick it up yourself.”
To date, Clarington Public Library says it has paid $12,000 annually to move materials from branch to branch.
- Quebec election leaders’ debates approach as campaigns wrap up 3rd week
- Calgary councillor seeks provincial probe into closed-door meetings after document leak
- Mark Carney meets with ‘Forever Canadian’ campaigners in Banff
- Nova Scotia to expand protections for people affected by AI-generated intimate images
Kent says they can’t imagine doing that for the same price moving forward, and they have not had the opportunity to budget for it.
WATCH: Ontario government cutting Toronto library support funding
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.