Stephen Vance, Staff
Meaford’s Public Library Board has given notice to the Owen Sound North Grey Union Public Library (OSNGUPL) that they will terminate a 16-year agreement that allows residents of the former township of Sydenham full use of the OSNGUPL. That agreement has cost the municipality nearly $120,000 per year.
“At its November 7, 2016 special meeting the Meaford Public Library Board voted to terminate the 16 year-old Library Services Agreement with the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library (OSNGUPL). The termination is effective December 31, 2016,” said Meaford’s Library board in a press release issued on November 8. “The Meaford Public Library continues to work with OSNGUPL on a new agreement to take effect January 1, 2017.”
The library board says that Sydenham residents who use the services at the OSNGUPL are pleased with the service provided, however they say that the current agreement is outdated and unfair as it only allows Sydenham residents use of the facility, not all Meaford residents.
“It also predates the day-to-day use of computers, e-books and other technological advances. Additionally, the current data available to the Meaford Public Library regarding the municipality’s use of the services is virtually non-existent, making it difficult to assess the appropriate value of the services provided. The negotiations with OSNGUPL seek to address these and other issues,” said the Meaford Library board.
The OSNGUPL also issued a press release on November 8, expressing their views on the issue.
According to the OSNGUPL, the letter from the Meaford Library Board went on to state that “it had formed a negotiating committee, but that negotiations must be completed prior to November 16, 2016.”
“The net effect of the announcement will be to end membership for card-carrying residents of the former Sydenham Township in the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library as of December 31, 2016,” said the OSNGUPL.
The Meaford Library Board said in their press release that they have been meeting with the OSNGUPL since June, and “has made its concerns and intention known. It is the expectation of the MPL Board that an agreement with OSNGUPL will be concluded to the benefit of all residents of the Municipality of Meaford.”
OSNGUPL board Chair Richard Thomas calls Meaford’s expectations unrealistic.
“In its Meaford Public Library Issue Paper, the Meaford Public Library Board suggests it should pay less than taxpayers in Owen Sound, Georgian Bluffs, and Chatsworth for the same service — in essence, it wants the union partners to subsidize their use of our library. That is completely unrealistic,” said Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Board Chair Richard Thomas.
Sydenham Township had been a member of the Union Public Library prior to its amalgamation with Meaford and St. Vincent Township, and it was agreed at that time to continue to allow Sydenham residents to use the OSNGUPL. Five years ago Meaford signed a 10-year agreement for that service with the OSNGUPL.
“By creating a list of demands we can’t possibly satisfy, and setting a one-week negotiating period, the Meaford Public Library Board has moved us from offering service to the entire municipality under the existing contract, to the possibility that no one in Meaford will have access to the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library. It’s really unfortunate,” Thomas said.
In their press release, the Meaford Library Board also warned that Sydenham residents could find themselves without free use of the OSNGUPL facility if a deal can’t be reached.
“However, should a new agreement not be reached, residents of the Municipality of Meaford currently using the OSNGUPL at no charge may be required to pay non-resident fees. For more information on policies, procedures and fees contact the OSNGUPL in Owen Sound,” said the Meaford Public Library. “As always, the resources of the MPL, including books, e-books, inter-library loans and DVDs are available to all residents at no charge. MPL also has agreements with Town of the Blue Mountains and Grey Highlands that allow Municipality of Meaford residents free access to the collections and services of those libraries.”
The Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library says that it will be posting notices this week warning Sydenham residents that their membership in the library is in jeopardy. If the situation is not resolved, Sydenham residents will be unable to sign out materials after December 12.
