Two visitors to the blog raised the issue of the benefit derived from the strength of a network in the public library service (including a citizen from Saint-Philippe in Brownsburg-Chatham, whom unfortunately has not signed his comment). The Ministry of Culture and Communications also recognized in 1998 in its Politique de la lecture et du livre (link in French): "No library can meet all the needs of its users, it must rely increasingly on the sharing of library resources and cooperation between all libraries to improve this service *. "
The Library of Brownsburg-Chatham is already part of Réseau BIBLIO, which is definitely an advantage. Thus, users have access to all affiliated libraries' collections. In 2 to 3 weeks, we receive books that we would not find otherwise on site (normal time for any library making loans between institutions). Also, the computer system can allow us to view the catalogs through Internet and to reserve books. The Network also provides users with access to encyclopedias, newspapers and softwares, through a licensing consortium. Not to mention the tools and management training for staff, which can then better serve customers.
The Politique de la lecture et du livre recommended collaboration of local libraries with a resource public library located in a bigger city. It reminds you of something? Mayor Daniel Mayer told the local press recently that the Library of Lachute was no competing with those of Brownsburg-Chatham or Saint-André d'Argenteuil, that it was complementary**. He also said he did not see why all citizens of the MRC d'Argenteuil could not access it ***. The Library of Lachute would obviously be the main resource, the pillar of the network in the MRC.
The government policy also was conting on existing structures to create a regional network. With the new computer system installed in the Réseau BIBLIO, it will be possible to join in a network member libraries in Argenteuil in 5 minutes: those of Brownsburg-Chatham, Grenville, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge (which has 2 points of service , one at Pointe-au-Chêne and one at Pointe-Calumet). To nclude Lachute and Saint-André d'Argenteuil libraries would be a matter of political will to resolve the technical details.
Imagine the strength of such a network, both in terms of professional and documentary resouces! Imagine how the opening hours could be harmonized in a way which would assure to all citizens of the MRC the best possibilities to access the service!
... And closeness
But beware, it would be wrong to believe that a single central library may be sufficient for all the MRC. Do we want a vibrant city center with dormitory suburbs around? It has been shown that the more the distance, the less services are used. The new trend in urban planning promotes the establishment of neighborhood where everything is accessible on foot as possible. The scope and geography of Brownsburg-Chatham makes such a goal unrealistic. But it is not because you must drive to the library that we should all make a trip a little longer pushing to Lachute. Besides, the Saint-Philippe library should never have lost its branch. In the Laurentians, 6 municipalities have more than one point of service on a large territory ****. Closeness of services allows the possibility to adapt to each library population and to better identify needs. Cultivating the unique identities nourishes the sense of belonging. And to counter illiteracy and school dropout, the MRC d'Argenteuil needs all the points of service possible.
The population of Brownsburg-Chatham amounts to nearly 7,000 people. We are not talking of a village with no resources. It deserves a library that meets the minimum standards in Québec. At the risk of repeting ouselves, it is undeniable that quality service is an asset for to keep current residents and to attract new ones.
** The Progress, February 27, 2010.
*** The Regional, March 2, 2010.
**** Lac-des-Peel, Mont-Laurier, Red River, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Amherst and Mont-Tremblant.
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