The Library Is Different

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Circuitous Logic": 
Your analogy to the Library is not a valid one. You cannot compare it to the Culture Centre. 
The Library is governed under the Province's Public Libraries Act. There is no similar legislation to govern how a municipality runs a culture centre, senior centre or youth centre.As a member of the Library Board, you should know this.
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As a  former and repeat member of the  board I do understand the analogy of   Library  to  Culture Centre. 
There are those who argue the Culture Board should be on the same footing as the Library Board. 
I am not one. 
The library is governed by the Public Library Act.
The municipality is required to provide funding .
When the library was an extension of  education, the  board had the same right as school boards to requisition  funds.
If they were refused, there was a  right of appeal. . 
No longer..The municipality appoints board members and  three Councillors serve on the board..
The  board  is composed entirely of members  chosen by Council.
 Council has authority over funds provided, the board has  discretion over how they will be spent.
Library is a multi- faceted service.
It comes at a price. 
 $53.98 cents  for every man woman and child in the town.  Revenue is negligible.
Some  taxpayers  believe the price is too high.  Service should not be free. Although a large percentage of the population use the library, not all do. 
Council cannot dismiss those who do not. .
Some Councillors object every year and try to pare down the total.. 
The same Councillors who   introduced  the  new burden and  without as much as a by-your-leave ,are prepared to add culture services .with a  budget along the lines of the library..
When the Historical Society withdrew commitment to manage the Church Street School Museum,they had the same idea. It's not clear where it came from. 
The Society  had fify-nine members and  was providing no service  at the time. 
The collection was stored and  space  for the museum had been rented out to another organisation . But they felt  within their rights to suggest  the town should provide a budget along the lines of the library.
At the time , they were receiving and continue to receive  a grant of $50,000 a year.
The museum was closed and the collection  in storage since 2003..
Yet  funds  just kept pouring out of town coffers.
There can be no argument that  library is expensive. 
But cost must be measured against value received. 
A visit to the library when it's teaming with people coming and going, mothers with two or three children,  line-ups  waiting for check-out , every computer occupied upstairs and down,
people lounging and reading in pleasant surroundings  illustrates its popularity. 
In times of high unemployment, the library is even busier, providing an essential resource .. 
What we see is only part of what's  provided. 
I am content  cost of service  is commensurate to value. 
I am not content for that  burden to be  increased  for  something as esoteric as culture,provided by a  governing body, independent and separate  from  council. 
In all conscience, it cannot be justified.
Last  Tuesday, two people attended the meeting to hear discussion    of the draft agreement .
When they left, the chief administrator left his seat  and followed. 
The Auroran  reports the CAO  and his staff are in full support of the draft agreement.
It is Council's responsibility to decide what new burdens  will  be placed on  taxpayers. 
Council will account to the electorate  for stewardship..
Staff will account to Council.
Council will account  to  people who pay the bills.                       .