Letter to the Blog

Library Board member responds


The following comments were written by Cramahe Library Board Treasurer, Marie Prins, in response to a letter sent to Cramahe Now by Castleton resident, Graham Norcutt. The comments made by Ms. Prins were important enough that we thought they should also be posted as a separate entity.

Ms. Prins writes:


The Library Board reported to Council on January 13, 2009 re. the fall meetings at the Castleton Library regarding the reopening of the library.

The following is a copy of that presentation made by Board Treasurer Marie Prins. Update on Castleton Library from Library Board Presentation to Cramahe Council 13 January 2009.

On September 16, 2008, two members of the library board met with 10 Castleton residents to discuss the possible restoration of the Castleton Library. A prior meeting on the 10th with a larger group of residents (50) had determined that the community was interested in reopening the library as soon as possible. Many people signed volunteer lists to help clean and pack books, to volunteer in the actual work of restoring the library, and to volunteer to work in the library or to donate books.

At the meeting on the 16th, we discussed the reconfiguration of the rooms, replacing the carpeting and lighting, addressing the humidity problem, and various other renovation issues.

At subsequent Board meetings in September through December, various options have been discussed at length to fund any and all renovations. These include using surplus money from the 2008 budget, which will be placed in reserve for this purpose, applying for a Trillium grant for specific aspects of the renovation, i.e. the humidity issue, and asking Council to fund the remaining capital costs to the building.

The library will use its reserves to purchase new computers, to refurnish a children’s room, to purchase a new circulation desk, and to purchase any necessary new shelving and furniture for the library.

After an initial consultation with Natalie Moroz-Connell in September, a total cost of $30-40,000 for this project was suggested, although such a figure would not adequately meet the humidity issue.

Since the September meeting, a volunteer group has packed and moved about 1/2 of the books to the Fire Truck Room at the Colborne library. Hopefully, the remaining books will be shipped there shortly.

During the December Board meeting, at which Marc Coombs was present, a discussion ensued around the necessity of the members of the Castleton community taking ownership of this project. In order for it to move forward, a working committee or group needs to be formed, spear-headed by one or two individuals from this community who will coordinate the funding as well as the restoration project in cooperation with the Library Board and the Township.

Efforts are being made now by Marc Coombs and the Board find a leader and to organize a group of Castleton residents to move this project towards completion in 2009.

Marie Prins

Since this report was made to Council, Marc Coombs has held 2 meetings with Castleton residents to gather input on their ideas for the Castleton library. In addition, Marie Prins met with Natalie Moroz-Cornell and Lorna Houston, the Colborne librarian, to discuss renovation ideas. The minutes for the first meeting Feb 2) with M. Coombs and the meeting (Feb 13) with Nathalie & Lorna are as follows -


Castleton Library Meetings

February 2, 2009 – Meeting at the library with Marc Coombs, Marie Prins (Library Board), and 6-8 residents of Castleton.

This meeting was an opportunity for Castleton residents to share their ideas about the needs within the community for a library, its possible functions, and possible space configuration plans.

The meeting began with a visit by the Girl Guides who were meeting upstairs in the Town Hall. These children shared many ideas they have about how a library could function for children – computers for homework, a good selection of books, programs in the summer, and friendly service, all ideas similar to those expressed by the adults. Everyone present felt strongly that the community needed and would use a library as there are few services available in Castleton. Computer usage is high on the list.

They also would like a friendly, warm atmosphere in which people could relax and read newspapers and magazines as well as books. One young mother really wants a place to bring her young child for regular outings and exposure to good books. All seemed comfortable with ideas put forward for a satellite library that featured new fiction & non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, talking books, and DVDs, plus a decent selection of children’s books.

High-speed, wireless internet service is a top priority. The ability to access titles on line, and borrow & return books from the Colborne library through the Castleton library were also well received.

Of course, everyone had ideas about space configuration, which door to use as the main entrance, where the Heritage Cramahe materials should be displayed, a good space for the computers, etc. All agreed that the space needs to be opened up as much as possible.

In the end, one woman volunteered to tour local libraries and take pictures so that ideas could be pursued at a future meeting, which Marc Coombs will arrange as soon as possible.

February 13, 2008 – Meeting at the library with Natalie Moroz-Cornell, Lorna Houston, and Marie Prins to discuss space configuration.

Natalie believes that many of the interior walls can be removed and the wiring and some ducts re-routed to open up the space as much as possible. After some discussion, we propose that the main entrance to the library be the stairs, which need to be stripped of carpeting and sided with sturdy handrails. New, secure doors are a must.

Lorna suggested that the wall at the bottom of the stairs (and the closets) be removed so that the area used by Heritage Cramahe (old board room) could be integrated into the library space.

The children’s room would remain where it is, except that its west wall would be removed and its north wall moved out into the back entrance space by approximately three feet. The inside door from this entrance area should be moved 2-3 feet north, in order to be more in line with the outside door. The wall should remain to lessen the amount of cold air entering the library in the winter. The rest of the library can be opened up with the circulation desk placed at the bottom of the stairs on its south side. The small area behind it could be opened a bit to incorporate that space into the rest of the library. The support walls under the balcony need to remain in place. When all this work is finished, the actual placement of the bookshelves and computers can be decided.

Natalie has asked Council for $40 000 for these renovations, a figure that may be adequate to accomplish everything. The library Board may be asked to pay for any carpeting, painting of walls, and all furniture. Hopefully the lighting can be upgraded so that the actual bulbs are friendlier and all fixtures point in the same direction. Nothing was discussed about the humidity issues.

We may have to plan for a Phase A and a Phase B renovation. The latter could include upgrading the furnace to accommodate air conditioning and could be financed by a Trillium grant.

Heritage Cramahe should be contacted and consulted about their needs in this space. At this point, the old board room seems a good fit.

Both of the above reports were emailed to Marc Coombs who brought them to the April 28th meeting in Castleton that was called to establish a Task Force to get the ball rolling on this project.

Please keep in mind that Council needed to approve funding for the renovations of the basement of the Town Hall before any plans to reopen the library could move forward. This funding was approved by Council on April 7, 2009.

Presently the Library Board is discussing how best to proceed with the monumental task of organizing the books and the space once the renovations are completed. The Board is hoping that the Library can reopen in the Fall of 2009 if funding is made available to hire a librarian for the remaining Fall months of 2009.

If this funding is not approved by Council, then the Board will ask for this funding for 2010, and, hopefully the library will be able to reopen no later than January 2010.

This information has been submitted by Marie Prins to clarify the decisions and proceedings of the Board and Council since September 2008 regarding the restoration of a library in Castleton.