Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

The municipality of Ormstown will be holding a public information session on September 17 to discuss options for the future of the municipal library.

The consultation will be led by representatives from Aedifica, an architectural and design firm based in Montreal. Mayor Christine McAleer said that the municipality called in external experts to ensure all information pertaining to the potential relocation of the library is presented in a transparent and neutral manner.

“We are going to cover all the points,” McAleer explained, noting that the council is considering the advantages and disadvantages of renewing the current lease, with or without negotiation, or completely relocating the library.

The meeting will address the implications of keeping the library at its current location while providing details on a proposal from the current building owners. Possible cost differences if the library was moved to the basement of the town hall will also be discussed.

“I think there may be some people who associate basements with dungeons,” said McAleer, before noting that a sketch of what the library might look like if it was moved will also be presented.

McAleer explained that the debate over relocating the library is one she and several councillors had been hoping to resolve before the end of their term.

Ormstown director general Daniel Leduc added that a decision on the library was now especially urgent because the municipality must give notice to the building owners before the end of the year.

With time running out before the upcoming municipal elections, Leduc confirmed that the council is divided over the issue. In the event the current council is unable to reach a clear decision, the future of the library will be deferred to the council elected in November.

The information session will take place at 6:30 p.m. on September 17 at the recreation centre.