After the last municipal election the opportunity came up for me to join the Essa Public Library Board. I joined with the hopes and dreams of a new library being built in the town of Angus. Our current library is bursting at the seams to say the least and has no room for expansion.

Library staff have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of our library by improving and expanding programming, increasing circulation, and helping to promote the library in all aspects of the community.

The CEO is continually searching for grants that would benefit our library.

Recently the opportunity came for the library to apply for a substantial grant that would allow us to build a new facility. On two previous occasions our municipal council has agreed, in principle, to put up $1.8 million to help fund a new library. When the library did not receive the grant funding, plans for a new library had to be changed and scaled back.   

On April 16  a library board deputation was made seeking a municipal commitment of $1.3 million towards a new library. In a recorded vote only Deputy Mayor Dowdall and Counc. Sandie Macdonald supported this motion.  It is with a heavy heart that I say there will be no new library built in Angus at this time. I would like to commend Counc. Macdonald for all of her efforts.

Kerri Hallikainen,
Angus