by PAUL RAYNER

Long on the minds of those directly involved, and discussed privately in small groups, a new library for Boissevain and Morton was officially publicly discussed on June 2.

A Boissevain & Morton Regional Library visioning meeting was held that evening at the MB Church. It was an opportunity for those directly involved in the governance and running of the institution as well as user groups to discuss the importance of the library in the community and ideas for a new centre.

The session was driven by Kris Doull, regional manager of Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport and Denise Weir, a consultant with Public Library Services. The meeting began by asking the around 30 participants to say what the library represented to them and what they liked about it. Convenience was mentioned, the public computers, reading material – including that borrowed from other libraries, and the children’s program were among those mentioned. There were also a number of positive comments about the dedication of the staff.

Doull moved forward to discuss the agenda of the visioning session. The first item was “setting the stage”. As he explained, all projects have their starting point, and these points are not in the practical sphere.

“Every project starts with a dream,” Doull explained. “It could be from an individual, a board or from a community. There have been a lot of these projects throughout our region. My observation is that it takes 8-10 years from dream to construction. A dream allows one to go beyond what currently exists. A dream is not articulated in goal statements or objectives.”

Weir moved forward to discuss changes found in libraries in other jurisdictions and the future trends they indicate. The old concept of a quiet and somewhat forbidding reference place, a model that never existed in Boissevain & Morton, was disappearing.

“Public libraries are becoming people places,” Weir stated. “The focus is becoming ‘community living rooms.’ There is something there for everyone.”

In some cases, Weir explained, libraries were municipal council “shop windows” – places they support that display their dynamism. They also could not fit a “cookie cutter” model, as each community’s library must fit their community. Due to changing demographics, as rural communities’ population ages, new concerns arise like physical accessibility and flexible hours of operation. As well, sustainability becomes an issue; so the more partners a library can have the better.

Weir found libraries were a valued institution, rating just below emergency responders in public esteem. They are the ones that introduce new technology and promote social cohesion.

She showed pictures of other libraries from places like New York City and San Antonio, to show what can be developed. Comfortable reading and computer rooms, public meeting spaces and naturally lit areas dominated, to the degree that some libraries became tourist destinations.

Partnerships were briefly discussed. The library already partners with the Moncur Gallery, but as Weir stated, it did not need to end there.

“There can be others like day care centres, employment services, recreation services. Grants now hinge on multi-use facilities.”

Doull then moved the meeting into personal and group dreams. Individuals were asked to write down their dream for a new library. Then these personal visions were shared with groups, who then shared them with the meeting crew.

The priorities named included developing into even more of a community hub than at present, including more multi-use facilities, creating a place to exhibit art, doubling the space for the archives, natural lighting and a greenspace. Different priorities – be they “books, books, books” or a more technological focus – were also discussed by more than one group.

A discussion arose regarding funding. Originally brought forward as a concept for overall year to year program funding, the idea of completely public funding morphed into a discussion of construction of a new facility. For some, being a public building, there was a feeling that the bulk or possibly all of the money for the new building should come from government sources, particularly provincial and federal. Others felt local fund-raising was the key answer.

The costs discussed for a new library ranged from $1 million to $2 million. As for fund-raising, RM of Morton Reeve Bob McCallum compared it to the Boissevain Arena dressing room project where groups in the community were asked to donate or sponsor parts of the construction.

“If you put a challenge out to the community like the arena,” McCallum stated, “a sponsorship program, you put it out there for them to donate to, there’s your fund-raising. All you have to do is give them an opportunity and recognize them.”

Like similar visioning sessions, ideas were put up on the wall and participants were encouraged to put coloured stickers beside their key priorities. The most important priority at the meeting seemed to be building a structure that was “architecturally pleasing.”

The facilitators were planning to take the information and make a report to send back to the community. As Weir stated earlier in the session, a new library is important because of its impact.

 “Why dream big?” Weir asked. “Because amenities encourage people to live in a community, encourage youth to stay and prepare people and communities for the future.”