Springwater library board counters 'misconceptions' at council

With its competency questioned and financial decisions challenged at almost every turn, members of the Springwater Library Board went on the offensive Wednesday night at the township’s council meeting.

“Unfortunately, with inaccurate comments made at the council meeting on Feb. 21, 2024, regarding a motion to contract out library services, replacing library management, which is the CEO, and the competence of current library board, we wanted to make a delegation this evening to clear up some misconceptions,” said Adrian Graham, chair of the Springwater Library Board.

“The library board feels it’s necessary to clarify, on the public record, accurate information about how the Public Library Act works and the role of both the library board and township council," he added. “It should be noted that all of the information we’re going to share this evening was provided to council members when they began their current term."

Graham and library board vice-chair Jane Cocking were in council chambers to respond to Coun. Phil Fisher’s stated intention to bring forward a motion asking for a report from staff regarding the potential for contracting out library services. 

Graham explained that, under the Provincial Libraries Act (PLA), township council has no legal authority to contract out library services for an existing library system. He said the PLA grants library boards the status of a completely independent corporation as soon as the library board is established by council bylaws.

“As such, library boards in Ontario are separate legal entities,” Graham said.

While library boards try to work in co-operation with municipal councils, he said library boards are tasked with providing independent governance in planning of the library system and are responsible for providing a comprehensive library service that reflects the community’s unique needs.

The library board, Graham explained, is responsible for appointing a chief executive officer, who is an employee of the library board and reports to the board.

The CEO does not report to the municipality.

Fisher floated the idea of contracting out library services at the Nov. 1, 2023 council meeting. With few details and no context for the request, Fisher’s comment, at the time, started tongues wagging. Some residents thought Fisher was calling for a closure of the township’s library, while others applauded his concern for taxpayers’ money.

His motion never materialized, leaving many in the community wondering about the library's fate.

Coun. Brad Thompson, who sits on the library board, made an attempt to get Fisher to update the status of his motion at the Jan. 17 council meeting, but was prevented from asking the question when it was challenged on a point of order by Coun. Anita Moore.

At the Feb. 21 council meeting, Mayor Jennifer Coughlin advised council that the point of order that she upheld at that meeting was, in fact, not in contravention and invited Thompson to ask Fisher his question.

“Where do you currently stand on your motion to get information on contracting out our library services?” Thompson asked.

“It’s not that I have it in for the library,” Fisher said at the time. “I just have to say, the board and the fiscal management is well, it just doesn't make any sense to me.”

On Wednesday night, Fisher doubled down.

“My problem doesn’t lie with the library; my problem lies with the fact that we, as a council, are not allowed, seemingly, to question the finances behind the library,” he said. “Whether it’s $5,000 or $50,000, it has to be accounted for. I always feel when myself or another member of council questions the budget or questions things that surround the library, it feels like we’re told we’re not allowed to ask.

“Yes, you are separate, but you still come to us for the budget,” Fisher added.

Cocking said council is encouraged to ask questions — they just have to go through the prescribed process.

“Coun. Thompson is the council representative on the library board,” she said. “Members of council should direct all questions and comments to Coun. Thompson, who will bring them to the next board meeting for discussion.”

Cocking said this process was deliberately developed under the PLA to avoid the "politicization" of library matters and to respect both the library and its board as independent legal entities.

“The system is designed to develop a collegial and respectful relationship between council and the library board,” she said.

When it comes to the board’s competency, Cocking said the education and experience of board members was “quite significant and extensive” in the areas of strategic planning, finance, governance and policy.

Graham has a bachelor of arts and masters of education and was the superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Peel District School Board, while Cocking has a bachelor of arts and public relations certification and is the manager of corporate communications and community engagement for the Town of Innisfil.

Stephen Ouderkirk, who has a bachelor of arts and bachelor of education, is an elementary school teacher with the Simcoe County District School Board. Jennifer St-Onge, who holds a bachelor of science and bachelor of education, is an elementary school teacher with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

Evan Chan, who has a bachelor of science, a project management professional (PMP) certification and a master of business administration (MBA), is the manager of transit fleet for the City of Barrie.

Gillian Reynolds is the library’s Tiny Township representative. She was Tiny’s Community Volunteer in 2014, is former president of the Tiny Lions Club and is the bookkeeper for Reynold’s Electric.