Feature Article,June 24, 2004
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Library consultant gets a lesson in rural politicsOmpah and Arden residents oppose plans that include closing their libraries
As Jim Morgenstern of DMS consulting walked through his 20-minute report on the future of the 
Kingston Frontenac Public Library system at a public meeting in Sharbot Lake on Tuesday night, there was a sense that the crowd of people gathered, many of them carrying placards, were positively chomping at the bit waiting for their chance to express their opinions.
The most contentious part of his report for this audience was the proposed closing of four of the seven branches in Central and North Frontenac, including the Ompah, Arden, Mountain Grove and Parham branches.
Morgenstern argues that his report projects the needs of library users over a 25-year period, and concludes that the small branches with short hours and slim collections will not serve the populations in the area in the medium to long term. Instead he proposes an expanded branch (both in size and hours of operation) in Sharbot Lake, and in his presentation he also mused about the possibility of developing drop off points in smaller communities in place of the existing branches.
When Morgensterns presentation ended, he faced a barrage of comments, almost all of them in support of the branches Morgenstern said should be closed.
Youre right when you say that ten hours a week is not sufficient for a library, one person said, but its a heck of a lot better than 0 hours.
What Im asking you, Morgenstern said to one questioner, is whether this library is going to suit your needs in the future.
If it aint broke, why should we fix it? the questioner responded, adding, we love the library; it has never done us wrong.
Morgernstern acknowledged in his report that library users from throughout the system spoke highly of the service, but pointed out that certain groups, specifically families with young children, were under represented among library users. He cited a study in Britain where an investment in library facilities with more computers and more usable space had reversed a 10-year trend and had doubled the participation rate of youth in the library system.
While no one at the meeting argued against improving service in Sharbot Lake, the general attitude was summed up by a member of the Kennebec Lake Cottage Association who said The issue we talk most about around here is how much tax we have to pay; it is not our library service. If our council spends $760,000 (the projected cost of a new library in Sharbot Lake) in order to close down our library, then were going to get rid of the Council.
At the beginning of the meeting Jim Morgenstern said he was pleased with the large turnout, and that what is said at the three scheduled public meetings would be reflected in revisions he would be making to the final report, which he will present to the board in about three weeks.
In the end Morgenstern told the audience it would be up to the library board to decide what to do with his report. There were several board members present at the meeting, along with library staff members. At the end, library board vice chair Marilyn Birmingham assured the audience that their comments will be taken into account and that no decisions have yet been taken.
(Editors note: The public meeting in Sydenham is scheduled for after this paper has been printed. For South Frontenac, Morgernsterns report does call for the closing of one branch, but also the construction of a brand new branch in Verona, and a relocation and expansion of the Sydenham branch.)
