by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
FORESTERS FALLS — The renovations and expansion of the Foresters Falls branch of the Whitewater Region Public Library was officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday morning.
The youngest and newest patron of the library, three-year-old Elizabeth Fowler, and the longest-standing patron of the library, Beulah Collins, had the honour of holding the bright green ribbon as the local MPP cut it.
Prior to this event, chief librarian Marilyn Labow gave a brief history of how this event was able to occur.
Ten years ago the Ontario government enacted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act which set a goal to make Ontario accessible by 2025, she noted.
“I am pleased to announce that through the aid of the Ontario Trillium Grant, our once small library has successfully achieved this goal,” she said.
The expansion is an 18 x 20 foot new room, with new wooden shelving provided through donations from the library supporters and a large, accessible washroom, which replaced two very small washrooms, that were not accessible by all.
The idea behind the act for libraries is to minimize barriers for users with physical limitations and disabilities and that materials be stored at heights appropriate for users, Ms. Labow said.
The Whitewater Region library board strives to provide a physical setting for library service that is inviting to the public and provides adequate space to display and store the library collection, space for the library staff to carry out their duties in an efficient and comfortable setting and space for the public to make proper and convenient use of the library services, she explained.
“I hope you all agree that we have been successful,” Ms. Labow said.
She introduced the dignitaries on hand for the event, which included Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP John Yakabuski, Ontario Trillium Foundation volunteer Guy Jamieson and Mayor Hal Johnson.
While Doug Schultz, chief building official for the township, could not attend the meeting, Ms. Labow thanked him for his involvement in this huge endeavour.
“A huge thank you to building inspector Doug Shultz who oversaw the construction,” she said. “He kept an eye on the bottom line. We were very impressed and thankful.”
Ms. Labow also thanked the library supportors for making donations allowing the board to purchase new wooden library shelves for the new section.
“These supporters helped us reach our goal of providing more space,” she said.
A plaque with their names is now on a wall in the new section of the library.
“A thank-you is extended to branch librarian Debbie Byce who put in many hours preparing the library for this event and working through the construction,” Ms. Labow said.
A vase of flowers was presented to Ms. Byce by board chair Helen Francis.
While there was no one from the Foresters Falls station of the Whitewater Region Fire Department or the Foresters Falls Athletic Association, they were also on the thank you list.
Prior to and after construction, it was firefighters who assisted in moving the books to and from the rink, where the athletic association allowed the books to be stored, she explained.
“As they say, it takes a village,” Ms. Labow said.
Ms. Labow noted there has been a library in Foresters Falls since 1933 when Hugh Wilson became the first librarian. Eventually, Beulah (Wilson) Collins, his daughter, took over, and that’s why she was asked to participate in the official ribbon cutting.
MPP Yakabuski said since Mr. Wilson was librarian, the library has changed over the years. There are now electronics used more than books.
However, it’s great to have a library in your community.
“As I travel across the riding, I can see that our demographics are changing,” the MPP said. “Our communities are attracting people to come and live here who are retiring from other areas.”
One of the first questions asked is do you have a library and what kind of facilities do you provide.
“This is something a little place like Foresters Falls, who also has one of the best darn Canada Day parades in the county, but it’s not the biggest place in the valley, but having a library is a tremendous asset.”
He added, “I commend the board that has been working so hard to make this happen.”
He also thanked the OTF, because it recognizes the importance of libraries and the disabilities act.
MPP Yakabuski then presented Ms. Labow with a certificate.
The OTF awards close to 1300 grants a year, each with their own story and community impact, Mr. Jamieson said.
“I find the days like today are a great opportunity to fully recognize and celebrate the important work of individual grantees that are indeed building stronger and more resilient communities, such as the Township of Whitewater Region and this library branch,” he said.
In 2014, the foundation invested $73,000 to support renovations to the Foresters Falls library for the very important goal of increasing the accessiblity and the extension to those with limited mobility, he explained. These improvements to include a universal barrier free washroom and enlarging the communal space and collection area will greatly increase accessibilty and independence for library visitors, Mr. Jamieson said.
“OTF staff and volunters are delighted that we are able to support projects like this one because it will have a great impact on this community and the library,” he said.
It’s important community’s have libraries, because they house the documentation of the area’s history, Mayor Johnson said.
“It takes a lot of volunteer help to keep it going, but we are lucky because we have one of the greatest communities for volunteer help,” he said.
He also noted it’s great to see from the “really young to somebody with so much knowledge” use the library.
Ms. Labow also took the opportunity to introduce the board members: chair Helen Francis and trustees Donna Campbell, Gwen Bennett, Ann Guest, Allison Smith, Connie Tabbert, Isabel Tanguay and council representative Cathy Regier.
Following the ribbon cutting, Mayor Johnson then presented a book written by local author Michael Alexander. The Seventh Day, published in 2012, is Mr. Alexander’s debut religious thriller, a detective investigating a string of suicides finds himself in the middle of an impending war between good and evil.
“Our MPP has helped us a lot and I have a book that was written by a young chap from Whitewater Region, who played hockey, and almost made it into the NHL, and decided to write a book. It’s fictional, but it’s a good book, well written.”
Mayor Johnson said the MPP should read it, sign it and pass it on for others to enjoy, or if he wants, put it in the Barry’s Bay library or the legislative library.
He also presented two copies of the book to Ms. Labow for the Whitewater libraries.
After the event, Ms. Francis said the expansion and renovation was done by contractor Al Harris of Renfrew.
Both were needed because the former library space was “very cramped and very small,” which did not allow for mobility to those in a wheelchair or who used a walker or canes. It was also difficult for staff to put books back on the shelf.
To get new shelving, the library board did fundraising and the supports came through, she said. If anyone would like to donate towards more shelving units, money is still being accepted and their names will go on the plaque, she said. If more money is raised than required, it will go towards other projects at the libray, she added.
“This (project) was done at no cost to the taxpayers,” Ms. Francis said.
The board received $73,000 from the OTF and any over-run was covered by a surplus account created for this project, she said.
As for the washroom, there were two small washrooms that were not accessible at all, Ms. Francis said. They were both torn out and a large accessible washroom was constructed.
Ms. Francis said Whitewater Region is “extremely fortunate” to have three libraries. Most rural municipalities have one library.
“We are lucky to keep three going because we are a very large and diverse area,” she said.
