The following article is from the February 2, 2005 issue of the Beaverlodge newspaper "The Advertiser", Recreation Ramblings by Randy Boettcher.

Library Lament

Going into the January 24, 2005 meeting of Town Council, the new library project was still $146,000 short of reaching 60% of the total project cost by February 1st, as required by the Legacy Grant people. At the meeting, it was moved that Council commit the proceeds from the sale of the existing library towards the construction costs of a new library. The motion was defeated, pretty much snuffing out the "last gasp" for the project as presently proposed.

Where do we go from here?

There appears to be 3 options:

1. Down-size the new library building design to fit our present level of funding - less square footage, less work space for staff.

2. Abandon the new building concept, and use a building currently available - such as the old Treasury Branch building.

3. Prepare the community for NO library when the present facility gives up the ghost.

Facts to Ponder

• Council is not sure it can be done

• The community has never really shown a strong commitment to the project.

• Our planning has always focused on the optimum solution to the problem of library replacement.

• Option 2 would require going back to our donors, giving them the option of continuing their support or not. Option 3 just gives the money back.

So the Friends of the Library have their backs to the wall, not to mention 4 years of effort. There will be a meeting on February 10th, at the Library, to prepare for the annual general meeting on Thursday, February 17th at 7 pm at the SMEDA Building. Without a strong showing of community support, this project is going to die. Either attend the annual general meeting, or send along your support. Otherwise, the Friends are just spinning their wheels.

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Personal Note from the Webmaster:

As a Friend of the Library, a former worker at the library, a parent whose children were frequent visitors to the library, an adult who used the library extensively, I feel ashamed of the lack of financial support shown to this project by the business men and women of the town. It was a sad day when a sculpture of a "Giant Beaver" took precedent over a facility that serves the entire community including the surrounding rural areas. When the present facility can no longer be kept open (which is in the foreseeable future) a great asset will be lost. Will we have to request all our books from the Grande Pairie library and only have a drop-off point in town to pick them up at? That is what I foresee. Please show your support for this project and maybe it can still be salvaged.

Pat Chenier

WHO ARE WE?

Membership in the Friends is $5 for 5 years or $50 for a lifetime membership and is tax deductible. We presently have over 200 members and growing.

We are currently raising money to build a new library.

We meet the third Thursday of each month in the library.

For more information on the Friends of the Beaverlodge Library and our fund raising project contact the Beaverlodge Library