Malvern’s back to the bookE

A ruling by the City’s to cut Sunday hours at Malvern library has been overturned and residents can now enjoy full Sunday service.

The Malvern library now has a reason to hold the 25th anniversary celebration they ignored due to potential cutbacks in their 2008 operating budget.

An arbitrator this past week overturned the city’s decision to close certain library branches on Sunday as part of Mayor Miller’s cost-containment plan, after the Canadian Union of Public Employees said Sunday library service is important.

“The bottom line is that all of the libraries open on Sundays should be open,” said Brian Cochrane, CUPE’s local president. “We are concerned about the negative impact the library closing will have in the respective neighborhoods.”

City library board officials held a meeting on Sept. 28 to discuss inevitable Sunday closings and other cutbacks such as on reference materials.

“I would not touch the library, not the community centre,” said Malvern resident Mai Cheng. “The city must tighten their belt and cut down on the mismanagement of waste. The library is a focal point and provides a good place for all students.”

The board is considering its options, including reducing computer access for students, longer wait times for requested materials and reduction of resources.

An unnamed Grade 12 student said he would prefer reducing the number of hours instead of cutting back on books.

“Knowledge is important so I would say that you have to cut the hours,” he said.

Residents are at least breathing easier over the new decision.

“The library is not only a place where we come to acquire our knowledge or spend our knowledge,” Change said. “This is a place where you can meet a friend; the library is a community spirit.”

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Posted: Oct 18 2007 12:00 pm
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Filed under: News