Rural libraries to close amid resignations, budget pressure

Three local library branches east of Ottawa will close temporarily because the municipality lacks the officials legally required to manage them.

The Nation, Ont., said in a news release Wednesday its branches in Limoges, St-Albert and St-Isidore will remain closed from January through March 2025 because of "governance challenges."

The municipality said the library's chief executive officer is retiring, and the library board chair and other board members have resigned. With no succession plan in place, the library lacks the leadership required under Ontario's Public Libraries Act.

The Nation said it will begin recruiting to fill those positions and reopen the three branches as soon as possible. In the meantime, it said residents can visit libraries in neighbouring municipalities, and they will be reimbursed for any fees they incur.

One full-time library employee and 10 part-timers will be laid off, said outgoing library CEO Jeanne Leroux.

CEO felt ignored

In an interview, Leroux told Radio-Canada she decided to leave after telling elected officials last month that she was feeling ignored amid mounting financial pressure on the library.

The Nation Mayor Francis Brière acknowledged the municipality is considering lowering the library's budget to deal with the larger financial situation. The Nation is in the process of setting and approving its 2025 budget, with its latest draft going to council next Monday.

The Nation Mayor Francis Brière in October. (Patrick Louiseize/Radio-Canada)

According to a report accompanying the draft budget, library board members submitted their resignations after Leroux announced her retirement.

The draft budget proposes lowering the library budget further because of the temporary branch closures.

On Monday, Brière floated the idea of asking volunteers to staff the libraries and keep costs down, but said there has been no decision.