Network and closeness

Network ...

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.

* Ministère de la culture et des Communications. Le temps de lire, un art de vivre – Politique de la lecture et du livre. Tiré à part : « Les bibliothèques publiques », 1998.

** 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.

Testimonies 3

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. 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 demonstratring 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 from Saint-Léonard:

Reading is one of the best way to understand one's language. To speak it well, read it well and write it well. A library is a paradise of dreams, a knowledge space, a place of learning, a quiet place for meeting and sharing. The books, let's admit it, are very expensive. Who can really afford it? The budgets of individuals are often too tight and basic needs must be a top priority. Where is the reading in this case? Where can the parent find the books that will awaken and delight the children? Is not one of the criteria put forward by the Education Ministry: "Read to your children at an early age to teach them the joy of reading, desire to know and thus begin language learning"? With the "chatting" - conversations so often prized by the youth of today - we lose our language. The French will soon only exist in the form of verbal expression as the written one is getting lost.

My Library - St-Léonard - even offers a more personalized service to those unable to travel. It is obvious that not all municipalities have many points of service as does Montréal, where the books can move from one library to another. But is it not practical to have a place where you can "borrow" a book from another place? Saint-Léonard is not part of the library network in Montréal, but the library of Saint- Léonard can borrow a chosen book from Laval if it is to be found only there!

A library is important.

Good luck, do not give up.

Linda Bousquet

To read previous testimonies:

• http://citbrownsburg-chathameng.blogspot.com/2009/12/library-testimonies.html
• http://citbrownsburg-chathameng.blogspot.com/2010/03/testimonies-2-books-reading-from.html

New Libraries in Saint-Hippolyte and in Nouvelle

Two recent news:

• Saint-Hippolyte (population 7,219 in 2006 according to Statistics Canada) receives a grant of $600,200 for the construction of a library.
• Nouvelle (population 1815 in 2006 according to Statistics Canada) has inaugurated the premises of its new library March 12.

The recent Nouvelle library has 224 square meters of space. The Brownsburg-Chatham one, 138 square meters (for a population of 6,664 in 2006).

 Excerpt from the press release announcing the opening in Nouvelle:

The grant comes from the Québec government comes from the Plan québécois des infrastructures, announced in November 2007. Let us recall that the cultural component of this plan will enable the investment of 1.2 billion dollars through to 2013. Thanks to the participation of partners, it is expected to generate total investments valued at over $ 2 billion. These funds will enable the government to accommodate a larger number of projects under its current programs and to contribute more particularly, as the investment announced today, to city and regions throughout Québec.

Meanwhile, in Brownsburg-Chatham, we look at the parade.

Architectural Heritage in Saint-Jérôme

From the Web site of the City of Saint-Jérôme (in French), the presentation of a heritage guide detailing architectural influences at different times. Document to consult for anyone interested in heritage:

Discover the guide "Saint-Jérôme and Its Architecture" (in French)

Saint-Jérôme holds a wealth of architecture

St. Jerome is a city that has grown and evolved since it was founded nearly 200 years ago. The architectural landscape of the city has changed, obliterating the same time, several witnesses from the past, but we still find today many architectural treasures.

In the brochure "Saint-Jérôme and architecture guide-discovery and enhancement of built heritage" (in French), Saint-Jérôme discover and learn how to recognize the heritage buildings.

A tool for owners

This guide will be especially useful to support owners in their efforts to renovate and enhance heritage buildings while respecting the architectural qualities. Funding could even be available.

The document follows the study and inventory of built heritage of Saint-Jérôme which were made some years ago by the City and which have identified the buildings deserve special attention.

The guide was published with the contribution of the Ministry of Culture, Communications and Status of Women.

School Library and Public Library

Some may believe, rightly or wrongly, that our elected officials confuse school library and public library. Both are essential. They are certainly complementary. Here is what said the Ministry of Culture and Communications (originally in French):

The school library has an educational role that distinguishes it from the public library. Thus, the type of services offered by the school library is directly related to the implementation of curriculum, hence the importance of having in each school a place accessible to teachers and students where to find collections consisting of basic reference books. The school library does not yet meet all the needs of staff and students, and if we want the student to continue reading and using libraries after graduation, it is at school that these habits must be developed. Students should therefore be encouraged to read not only by obligation, but out of curiosity and pleasure. To do this, the school library should make available a varied collection including works of fiction and documentary. Cooperation between municipality and the school is a solution to enrich the choices offered by the school library. We must also develop an early habit of frequenting the public library.

Le temps de lire, un art de vivre – Politique de la lecture et du livre

(Tiré à part: "Les bibliothèques publiques")

Ministère de la culture et des communications, 1998

Experience suggests that, in general, a public library located in a school has less members from general public. Is this due to how the premises are organized and where the entrance is situated? Is it because the public perceives the institution to be addressing students more than them? Is it a matter of opening hours?

Certainly, a library such as that of Bromont * allows one to dream with its green architecture and its open spaces. It calls to drop any reluctance to the coexistence of the school entity and the public, at least for those sensitive to the green arguments.

* 6049 population in 2006 according to Statistics Canada

Let us recall here that the coalition We Deserve Better is open to any reasonable proposal for relocating the municipal library. There would then be a need to find a vocation to the Roussell house.

Municipal Council's Reaction - City Has No Money, Really?

As indicated on our blog January 14, 2010, the Coalition We deserve better presented to City Council on January 5 its official demands. We asked for a response by early February 2010.


On February 9, 2010, during a telephone conversation between Cynthia Dubé, a member of the coalition, and Mrs. Paul Blain Clotteau, Advisor to the City of Brownsburg-Chatham, the latter reported not having received such formal requests. Cynthia Dubé then transmitted them directly by email that same day. On 22 February, Mrs. Clotteau sent an unsigned email, reproduced here in full (originally in French):

Hello, we have received your message. The library is in our future projects, but the current state of the city's finances is, and you will surely understand it, that we are handling the most urgent matters, the state of infrastructure in our municipality is currently in our priorities.

The Mayor, Mr. Georges Dinel had also made statements to the local press that the city's finances were disastrous.

The 2009 financial profile of Brownsburg-Chatham available on the website of the Ministry of Affaires municipales, Régions et Occupation du territoire nonetheless suggests that it compares very well with other cities.

The total long-term net debt per $100 of RFU (richesse foncière uniformisée in French) and the long-term debt per capita are hardly superior to other municipalities of the MRC d'Argenteuil, but equivalent to those of the administrative region Laurentides and all of Québec.

The standardized overall rate of taxation (TGT in French) is below the average of municipalities of the same class (2000 to 9999 population), as well as of those of the MRC d'Argenteuil, the Laurentides administrative region and throughout Québec .

As hard as we search for the catastrophe, we do not see it in these numbers.

The provincial government also provides grants for infrastructure projects (sewers, water pipes, etc.)

The Magic of the Library

A Fun video Presentation of The University of Bergen.


This link was discovered on the bibliothécaire errant's blog, who suggests another blog to read in his message of February 22nd, 2010... Thank you, bibliothécaire errant!