Libraries in Guysborough Co. will have reduced hours.
Laura Emery, the CEO of Eastern Counties Regional Library, says a new provincial funding formula means officials in each municipality must pay for their own library service.
Emery tells The Hawk libraries in Canso and Sherbrooke, and the Cyril Ward Memorial Library in Guysborough, will only be open 15 hours a week.
“Those areas are experiencing reduction because their tax contributions, historically, never covered the full cost,” she says. “The full cost of their library open hours has not been paid by their municipal contributions, so we need to adjust the level to what is supported by their municipal contributions.”
Emery says that’s left officials in other municipalities within their coverage area to pay the difference, effectively subsidizing library service in Guysborough Co.
She says money other municipal officials had been spending in Guysborough Co. will instead be used to improve library service where taxes are collected, which includes opening a new branch in Cheticamp.
Emery says they asked councillors in both the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the Municipality of the District of Saint Mary’s if they would increase their funding, but both declined.
“They’ve been given the option to increase their financial contribution to enhance services,” she says. “We’ve provided them with the information about the cost of sustaining the historic service level.”
The new hours for libraries in Guysborough Co. are:
Cyril Ward Memorial Library (Guysborough)- 12:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday
Canso Library– 12:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Sherbrooke Library– 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
