I consider myself an eternal pessimist so I can't say I was surprised when I read that city administration has recommended delaying a much needed branch library for yet another year from the capital budget. After all, the library has only been below the recommended size for St. Albert's population since 1993 (22 years) and the city's population is only 27 per cent higher than the library was originally designed for. And, never mind the fact that for every new book added to the library, a current book has to be culled from the collection. And, last but not least, why would we want to promote learning and community-building, when we could spend $3.3 million for a change room in Riel Park?
As a former library board member, I had the pleasure of meeting with council representatives on a regular basis over a period of three years to advocate for an additional library facility for the city. In each of those interactions, I was given a very consistent message that council would need to see citizen support for a branch library. So, in recent weeks, I have been very happy to see that citizen support materialize. The city's own facility priority assessment survey listed the library as the No. 1 priority that residents surveyed would support with additional tax dollars. Recent advocacy efforts by library supporters have led to council members receiving 10 times the usual volume of emails from residents and references to expanded library services have made daily appearances on social media. The citizen support for a branch library has come, but will our current council members remember that, in the 2013 election campaign, each of them replied with a “Yes” response to the question “If elected, will you make solving the library's need for expanded space a priority?” The upcoming budget process provides them with the opportunity to follow through on their election commitments and to reward the dedicated library staff for years of extra effort. Active citizens have demonstrated that the library is their No. 1 priority for capital funds, but will city council provide the leadership necessary to make that happen?
Being the pessimist I am, I am hesitant to think that any of the rational arguments listed above will actually matter. Past election commitments are quickly forgotten, after all. So, as an alternative, I will appeal to what I think will really matter to those council members already planning for the next election, including one who is undoubtedly planning a mayoralty bid. Please remember that the number of current, active adult members of the library exceed the average number of votes required, in the 2013 election, to be elected as a council representative and make up 86 per cent of the vote count required to be elected as mayor. Just think of all the votes that could be secured by supporting a branch library now, instead of delaying it yet again?
Chris Cooke, St. Albert
