The Library As Is Today

The current library, adjacent to the arena, is antiquated in several respects:

• premises too small (24% of the Québec standard)
• lack of space for entertainment, conferences
• lack of seating for consultation and study
• Collection insufficient for the population
•  Insufficient human resources
• activity area of storytime and youth section in front of the toilet doors, in the draft
•  Hot, humid summer, cold in winter
• no ramp

Nevertheless, attendance is increasing year by year, the computer room is a big success and inter-library loans are many proofs that the needs of the population is real.

Library - Testimonies

The council is studying various scenarios for a new library in a horizon of 1 or 2 years. Let us speak up and express our need and desire for a library as we deserve. Why do we believe our library to be important? What does she bring us? Or why are we not going? What would lead us to attend? What kind of library do we dream of? What inspiring and great libraries have we visited?

All your comments are important, be them short or elaborate, whether you are young or not so young. Thank you to indicate your name and city (and your organisation if applicable). The Coalition reserves the right to remove any comment demonstrating a lack of respect, with personal attacks and without signature or name of city. Go to the end of this message to write your own testimony. Click on "comment" to open the window if necessary.

You can also send your comment by email (citbrownsburg-chatham@live.ca), as did this citizen:

What a shock to learn that the proposed relocation of the Municipal Library in Brownsburg-Chatham House Roussel is threatened! How can the local authority think that it is an achievement of no importance ...

For a library is a world of knowledge and all knowledge of the world. That's rich history, diversity of human experience, culture and global scientific advances. A library is a window into the future.

In this peaceful oasis, all young people and adults can draw from memory, in history and accumulated knowledge. Everyone has the opportunity to gather information on countless topics to explore unknown worlds and even be entertained.

A library is a refuge with tools that stimulate the imagination and creativity, a microcosm where children can access the universal knowledge that will open the doors of mankind's achievements and indicate pathways leading to d 'horizons and who knows better tomorrow.

"A house without a library is a home without a soul, no spirit, no friendship," according to the Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun. What is to say then of a municipality without a library? One who claims to bear the title of city has more duty to provide its citizens with a library worthy of the name. Beyond the road infrastructure and balance the budget, how the administration of Brownsburg-Chatham Can even consider depriving its people of such a source of wealth?

Claire Thivierge
Resident who disagrees with the decision of the elected
7 janvier 2010 January 7, 2010

New email received January 17, 2010:

I am one of those residents in Brownsburg seeking to preserve their local library and most importantly, I want it to be greater with greater choice and promotion of reading being done in our village. It is our language, and we all know it is now in great danger, and like the recycling if everyone does their part we can get results instead of hiding our heads in the sand and putting the blame on others. Our library could make others jealous if we worked on it and who knows, other nearby municipalities could do business with us. I urge our politicians to roll up their sleeves and do what must be done so our municipality be envied and shown as an example instead of sinking in mediocrity.

Josée Ducasse

Received February 5, 2010:

The library in my town, St-Hyacinthe, is an indispensable tool. My girls introduce themselves to the pleasure of reading, I go there for research and there is a cultural living. "Culture is what remains when everything is gone," said Dany Laferriere after the earthquake of Haiti.

François Avard, Maskoutain

February 9, 2010

My name is Mario Chabot and I've been living in Brownsburg-Chatham for five years, but I am a native of Saint-Hyacinthe. I have for a long time worked in the arts. Writer for comedians, actor, director, playwright (youth drama), etc.. Yet it is film making (as a writer and a director) that has occupied much of my career. Ironically, it is a literary genre that inspired me the most this profession: the graphic novels. And it is the library of my town that has fueled this passion. Fortunately for me, the library of Saint-Hyacinthe was one of the best in this field. This place has become both a refuge and stimulation, where I met most of my friends. When I look back at this period, I have concluded that this library has shaped the man I became, fed me emotionally and intellectually. Now that I am a father of two young boys, I see the library and literature in general as a valuable, complementary tool to my parenting. Already, the oldest, who is three years old, sees as a privilege the moment when his mother or his father will read to him. Despite his young age, he has a rich vocabulary, his memory and his imaginary grow rapidly and he can easily develop an idea. But most important is that he is already beginning to find points of interest and that his desire to learn will help him when he goes to school. When one wonders how to prevent school dropout, encouraging young people to develop their curiosity and interest through reading seems a means both economic and clever. Free access to a wide variety of books and helpful librarians make the Library the perfect place to accomplish this task. Let's give finally give ourselves the library that will serve our youth and their future. Mario Chabot

 

To read other testimonies:

• http://citbrownsburg-chathameng.blogspot.com/2010/03/testimonies-2-books-reading-from.html
• http://citbrownsburg-chathameng.blogspot.com/2010/04/testimonies-3.html

Before the Coalition - Opinion Letter

Following the council's decision not to proceed with the proposed relocation of the library, this opinion letter was sent and published in the newspaper The Watchman-Progress of November 21, 2009 and the 27 Regional November 2009.

 Reassure me, Mr. Mayor Dinel

Mr. Mayor

I say it out front, I did not vote for you. Not a matter of partisanship, it is not my cup of tea. Quite simply, I am allergic to those who criticise. You said what you will not do. But still ... What is your vision for the city of Brownsburg-Chatham?

Me and my young family have schedules that prevent us from participating in meetings of the council. That is why I proceed with a letter.

So, you have rejected the proposed library. Reassure me, is it just a matter of good management or are you simply insensitive to the importance of culture?

I moved to Brownsburg in 2005 with my spouse and this is where our children were born. I was pleased to see a wind of change. The downtown sector became entwined and more dynamic. I am eager to introduce À la table d'Hector to my friends and family, all of which are outside the Laurentians. I am happy to imagine the discoveries that will make my sons in the L'Atelier above the restaurant. I adored buying my vegetables, chocolate, honey at market at the corner of my street. I see the success of skateboard ramp. There was an announcement made of the upcoming construction of the library.

And then you arrive. End of hope for me.

The library was the first real contact I had with the city. But it is outdated and too small for the population. Brigitte, Caroline and Sharon are, they and the few books available, the only qualities of the current library. The virtues of reading are well documented. And the library is a leading player in the development of interest in reading among children. The latter (and we all actually) need a place beautiful, lively, warm, comfortable and big, with a profusion of books to discover, by looking, touching. For my part, I dream of finding new books other than the inter-library loan.

I also address myself to your colleague, Madame Paule Clotteau-Blain, who, incidentally, has got my vote. Clotteau Madam, you who had at heart to develop a family policy and work towards its implementation, the issue of the library, is it part of it? For there is no doubt in my mind.

The house previously chosen to build a new library would not be appropriate for you, Mr. Mayor. You therefore doe not consider the architectural heritage to be of importance? Beauty attracts beauty. A pleasant downtown for the eye encourages all citizens to take care of their property, not to mention the attraction that it can represent for all visitors.

Managing a city is more that balancing columns of numbers. It is creating a living environment where all senses will be filled, it is instilling a sense of belonging among citizens and give them pride to live here. Thus it will be possible to attract new residents. Yes, balancing budgets is important, but investments are still needed to reap the fruits one days. I say yes to a sound, transparent, listening to citizens. Bravo! But please, think of the long-term development of the city. I hope you will listen to the various organizations and committees working on the revitalization of downtown and involved in the development of cultural life in my adopted city, one that I hope will be the city where my children grow up.

A citizen who cares,
Cynthia Dubé