Three years ago, a reciprocal borrowing agreement that allowed Tiny Township residents to access libraries in Midland, Penetanguishene and Springwater Township was hailed as a win-win for both residents and Tiny itself.
Cindy Hastings, who was a Tiny councillor at the time in northern Simcoe County, called the move “brilliant” and thanked the four partners for their efforts.
"Thank you for getting together and forming this partnership. I'm looking forward to being able to go to any library,” she said in a MidlandToday article from Nov. 14, 2020. “This is terrific."
Terrific turned terrible last week when Tiny Township council decided it was not going to renew the agreement, which expires Nov. 30, 2023, leaving Tiny’s 12,000 or so residents with no library to call their own.
"While we are saddened by the decision to end the agreement for library services, we do respect their decision," said Jodie Delgado, chief executive officer of Springwater Public Library. "We will continue to support Tiny residents however we can.”
According to Delgado, Tiny residents can still access any of Springwater’s three branches — located in Elmvale, Midhurst and Minesing — until the end of the year under the current agreement.
“We have appreciated the support of Tiny Township over the years and we want residents to know we are still here to welcome them to our libraries," Delgado said.
According to Tiny Township Mayor David Evans, the decision to not renew the agreement was a strategic one.
“Council is evolving our current funding model to further invest in Tiny’s infrastructure,” Evans said in an emailed statement. “This approach will spend future taxpayers’ dollars in our municipality while continuing to provide the exceptional service our residents deserve.”
Under the terms of the reciprocal borrowing agreement, Tiny Township paid $180,707 (2021 budget) annually to the three partners for their services — $110,200 to Midland, $57,981 to Penetanguishene and $12,526 to Springwater.
Springwater received just over $13,000 in 2023, according to Delgado.
The cost per Tiny resident under the agreement was about $15.
Without an agreement, Tiny residents will have to purchase non-resident memberships with any or all of the other libraries.
The current cost of a non-resident membership for the Penetanguishene library is $125 annually. It’s expected to increase after the Penetanguishene library board meets on Oct. 30.
For the Midland library, a non-resident membership is currently priced at $150 annually.
The cost to Tiny residents for a non-resident membership in Springwater will be $80 annually, said Delgado.
Starting Jan. 1, a Tiny resident who wants access to all three library systems will have to pay at least $355 a year.
“Beginning in 2024, Tiny residents can obtain a non-resident library membership, and the council will be implementing a reimbursement plan for any fees our residents may be charged,” said Evans. “The exact details of this reimbursement plan will be determined by council at a future date.”
