William Crooks
Ayer’s Cliff Library Director France Beaudin, Compton-Stanstead MP Marie-Claude Bibeau, Director Marian Scott, and Ayer’s Cliff Mayor Simon Roy at the announcement of federal funding for accessibility upgrades at the library

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Ayer’s Cliff Library will soon be more accessible thanks to a federal investment of $115,514 announced on March 17 by Compton-Stanstead MP Marie-Claude Bibeau. The funding, provided through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, will go towards installing a lifting platform to improve access for people with reduced mobility, seniors, and parents with strollers.

Bibeau made the announcement during a small gathering at the library, highlighting the importance of accessible community spaces. “Libraries are a gateway to culture, and even more so in smaller towns,” she said. “It’s great to have an accessible library—it helps with access to information, literacy, and learning, and it serves as a community gathering place.”

Currently, accessing the library can be difficult for some visitors due to mobility barriers. The new platform will be installed outside the building, making entry easier and safer. “Building a more inclusive Canada requires a lot of work, but it’s important work that must be done,” Bibeau stated. “This addition, supported by the Accessibility Fund, will allow more people to take advantage of the library and its cultural activities.”

Ayer’s Cliff Mayor Simon Roy also spoke at the event, expressing gratitude for the federal support. “The town has always had a very good relationship with the federal government,” he said. “Whenever we’ve needed something, your team has been there.” Roy emphasized that the library is not just a building filled with books but a space sustained largely by volunteers. “For ten months of the year, it’s run entirely by volunteers,” he noted, highlighting their dedication to keeping the facility operational.

The library’s central location in the community makes accessibility improvements even more significant. “For small towns, it’s important to have a centre where multiple services are available,” Roy said. “People come here not just for books, but also as part of their daily routine—stopping by after visiting the post office or the grocery store.”

The Enabling Accessibility Fund is a federal program that supports construction projects aimed at improving accessibility, safety, and inclusion for people with disabilities. It funds essential infrastructure upgrades such as ramps, automatic doors, and accessible washrooms, ensuring that public spaces are available to all.

Local officials and library representatives welcomed the funding, noting that the timing of the project is ideal. “This really comes at the right moment,” one library representative said. “It will make a big difference for many people in the community.”

Bibeau credited the town’s initiative in securing the funding. “I always say, I can run with the ball, but the local team has to make the pass,” she said. “Thank you for working hard to make this happen.”

With funding now secured, work on the lifting platform is expected to begin soon, ensuring that the Ayer’s Cliff Library remains a welcoming and accessible space for all residents.