BY DANIEL BARTLETT

With three weeks to go before the projected close of the Fraser-Hickson Library, one member of the library’s board of directors said he’s not confident that the remaining days will change the cultural landmark’s situation.

On Dec. 19, several Fraser-Hickson board members met with a number of the library’s users and Borough representatives, including Borough Mayor Michael Applebaum and Warren Allmand, city councillor for the Loyola district, to go over the NDG library’s difficult financial situation. Despite this, Fraser-Hickson vice-president Nicholas Hoare said the meeting did not provide any new resolutions but was designed to give the public a better picture of what the situation is.

“That was simply a fact-finding thing for the public, they just wanted to bring themselves up-to-date. There’s been no material change,� Hoare said.

“It’s essentially doomsday for us, we’re looking at a … January 31 deadline and if it works it works and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But essentially we’re sort of resigned at this point because the Borough’s hands are completely tied, they just don’t have the cash and they’re not being granted the cash.�

In October, the library’s three-year deal with the City and Borough expired, and the City has since said it will not re-invest in the Fraser-Hickson. The Borough has offered to provide the library with $400,000 over the next two years but the Fraser-Hickson’s board of directors has made it clear that that is not enough overall.

In December, the building was officially put up for sale, with a number of investors showing an interest.

“(The Borough) can’t manufacture (the funds) short of going into debt and I don’t think they want to do that,� Hoare said. “So we’re all very sympathetic and we’re all in the same boat, essentially swimming furiously for shore, but it’s not looking very optimistic, that’s for sure.�

Although Applebaum maintained that the Borough does not have the necessary funds to exclusively support the library, he remains hopeful that the library will continue to provide services for NDG residents.

“It’s not doomsday for the library because from what I understand they are looking still to provide library services in our Borough,� he said. “They are still looking at what services they want to provide. They will preserve their collection … and it’s clear that they want to meet their mission.�

Having re-opened on Jan. 4 after a two-week break for the holidays, adults must now pay $10 for a membership with the Fraser-Hickson. At press time, the library couldn’t confirm how many people have signed on as members.

Alana Ronald, a Fraser-Hickson member who had previously started a petition to keep the library open when it first found itself in financial peril in 2003, was at the Dec. 19 meeting and gave several suggestions to gather more funds for the library. Her proposals included sharing library space with other community groups, running a resale shop on the premises, creating a viable and attractive online donation site, and holding more entertaining events.

“This library has already saved the City millions of dollars in real services and contributions. We have seen a valiant board pare these services to the bone, but we have seen volunteers step up to the challenge and successfully provide more than $100 per annum represented in man and woman hours,� she said. “We understand the private sector has been carefully mined for financial input by our board and we know that they can continue, shoulder to shoulder with Library Friends, to explore new avenues in funding.�

The Fraser-Hickson Library will host a benefit coffee house Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. Cost for the event is $10 and includes a membership with the library. Funds given by any current member will be used for people who want to join but cannot put out financially towards membership.