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South Okanagan Photos

Is our Oliver Library under attack? – Editorial Comment

orlOkanagan Regional Library is looking for a new location for our local library.

Why?

In two sessions – one at the RDOS and 1 at the Oliver Town council the administration of the Okanagan Regional Library stated the costs are too high when compared to other areas of the system.

Because a study into library service costs was completed and the above fact came to light – action is being taken to reduce staff levels and find space that costs less.

An ad in the local newspaper is seeking expressions of interest for 4500 sq. feet of existing or new space in the commercial district and available within a year.

Action is needed here by US. Friends of the Library and other interested groups – schools, patrons, government leaders and the public generally.

The Oliver Library is ideally suited in its present location on a busy walking thoroughfare with elementary schools within walking distance on either side. Many seniors can walk to it and there is ample parking to handle customers.

Would you like it if the library moved to a mall at the edge of town where almost no one can walk to it?

I could consider my self in many conflicts with this editorial as the landlord of the present location, the ORL, the RDOS and the Town are all paying customers. But a meeting of the minds must occur soon.

Someone has to come to the rescue. To me this is a VERY important issue. Time for those charged with the responsibility of making decisions to belly up. This library is one of the busiest in the entire system but because of falling land assessments in comparison to some other locations in the valley – the figures, the numbers, the comparisons fall short.

Ask the local librarian about the LEGO session last Saturday – full house. What would the present library look like with 600 to 800 square feet less in size.

Stand up, speak up – tell your governments – all three of them ORL, Town and RDOS you won’t like it if the size is diminished or a complete move is made to an inferior location just for the sake of making a cost saving.

Posted by Jack Bennest