Cobourg Public Library CEO Tammy Robinson’s presentation to Hamilton Township council Tuesday afternoon garnered praise from councillors.
In addition to the library’s main location in Cobourg, there are also township branches in Bewdley and Gores Landing.
Robinson shared some 2022 stats from the township locations with council, including that there are 1,688 active members in Hamilton Township, 29,752 physical items were borrowed, 917 patrons attended 95 programs, 1,820 visits to township branch locations and there were approximately 12,324 visits by township members to the Cobourg branch.
There’s also a Virtual Library available 24/7 that provides access to more than 70,000 e-books, 20,000 audio books, more than 4,000 e-magazine titles and 28 separate databases and e-resources.
The hours of operation for the Bewdley branch are Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursdays 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturdays 1 to 4 p.m. while the Gores Landing branch operates Tuesday 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 12 to 4 p.m.
Anyone with a township library card can also check out items in Cobourg where there’s not just books, DVDs and video games, but also the opportunity to borrow telescopes, provincial park passes and musical instruments.
Goals moving forward including creating more signage to show residents where the Bewdley location is - inside the Bewdley Community Centre is.
“We also want to increase the number of cardholders in the township, so we’re going to be doing this through a membership campaign,” Robinson said. “We’ve been working really hard on increasing our weekend programming in Hamilton Township through a pilot project and this is helping us to determine the best way to offer all offerings to the community.”
Robinson added the library would like the opportunity to work with the township to offer more to residents, especially in the Baltimore area, and that will be discussed through their strategic plan.
The library would also like to survey Hamilton Township residents to determine their needs and wants as well as capturing updated demographics for the area.
“We’re going to reach out to the township staff…probably closer to summer and put something together to see how we can get that information out to the community,” Robinson said.
Mayor Scott Jibb thanked Robinson for the presentation, her energy and vision for the future. “I will speak for myself and I know the rest will as well, but we are amazed at the work that you’re able to accomplish and how you’ve broadened your scope of work in short periods of time.”
Councillor John Davidson, a former library board member, said “thank you very much, you’ve grown so immensely since the last time I was there and I congratulate you all and just keep up the great work.”
“I’m just going to say awesome job. I’ve been here for awhile and you guys have progressed so much in the last few years - it’s unbelievable what you do offer. It’s something for everyone, which is really wonderful to see.”
Robinson responded “thank you, that’s what we’re trying to do, is not just focus on one, but the whole community of all ages.”
Councillor Bruce Buttar commended Robinson the programs offered by the library and knows of youth who would benefit from getting a library and enjoying programs as well.
Council’s current rep on the Cobourg Public Library board, Larry Williamson, recalled putting his name in for the position when councillors were choosing which committees and boards to sit on.
“I’m darn proud that I did,” Williamson said, noting he didn’t previously know much about the library. “Well now I do and I am so proud of your dedication and your professionalism. At our board meetings I’m blown away by the context of those board meetings. The depth of information that we’re supplied with monthly is awesome. Work plans, we know what’s going on, when it’s going on, how much it’s costing - it’s just remarkable and the people who do all that, congratulations, you do a great job.”
Williamson added a lot of Cobourg library employees and volunteers, even some board members, are from the township. He hoped members of the CCHT (Citizens’ Council of Hamilton Township) were watching the meeting.
“This should put to rest any questions you may have about the library,” Williamson said. “It is a useful and absolutely necessary function within our community and I appreciate everything you do.”
Later in the meeting, council voted to transfer $13,000 from Library Development Charges to the Cobourg library for collection materials covering 2019 to 2023.
A staff report states “the net growth-related capital cost for new collection materials was calculated to be $26,000 (2019-2028) or $2,600 per year.”
