Northern Alberta residents pack small town meeting over library's future
Valleyview town hall called to answer questions about Fifth Estate investigation
For the first time, supporters of the Valleyview library have heard directly from the town's mayor and council about a contentious move to eventually close the existing facility and relocate it in a yet-to-be-built K-12 school.
The library's funding and future have become a source of tension in the community, located about 350 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
The town hall meeting was called after weeks of criticism of the town council and a few heated library board meetings, including one last month that culminated in the RCMP being called during the public engagement portion. One of the board members resigned days after.
It followed an investigation by CBC's The Fifth Estate that found the town's decisions to close and move the library were conducted behind closed doors, with Valleyview residents unable to have their voices heard. Town officials declined to speak to The Fifth Estate for that story.
The March 10 meeting was the first opportunity supporters of the Valleyview's public library had the chance to question officials about several recent decisions.
The council had previously voted to cut library funding by $60,000 in December 2023 – about half the town's allocation.
Residents also questioned how the town was appointing library board members.
Valleyview council appoints library board members, and they can serve three consecutive terms – only able to serve more if two-thirds of council agree to let that member continue.
More than 100 people attended the meeting at the town's Memorial Hall, some to have their voices heard, others to hear the mayor and councillors speak. Valleyview is home to about 1,800 people.
"The library is not closing," Valleyview Mayor Vern Lymburner said during the town hall.
"We're looking at moving it to a new facility, a brand-new facility.
"We're hoping to stop some of the rumours going around town where people seem to know a lot about everything, but in some instances, they don't know anything."
The proposed new space for the library in the new Northern Gateway Public School's facility is half the size of its current home on the town's main street.
"It's done in a lot of other places and it's a wonderful place. It's a hub in their community. It takes a little getting used to right off the bat, but it does work," Lymburner told the crowd about locating a public library in a school.
Although the town hall meeting was advertised as an opportunity for residents to ask questions of the councillors, the public was not allowed to ask questions verbally.
A lectern set up for the meeting was removed, and residents had to submit written questions.
Some in the crowd called out questions to council members and the mayor in some heated exchanges.
Hub for queer youth
The current library is home to the local Gay Straight Alliance, which is considered a touchstone for the local 2SLGBTQ+ community. It's also a hub of programs for new Canadians, children's reading groups, and services for seniors.
In addition to size concerns, members of the local GSA worry the school complex location will not be safe or welcoming, as it could be subject to provincial regulations surrounding 2SLGBTQ+ expression in schools.
Brittany Supernault, travelled from Grande Prairie to support other queer people from Valleyview at the meeting.
"How can you ensure anyone's safety, if you take that away and there's no space?" Supernault asked the mayor and councillors.
"With all the events that have led up to this, it's created an unsafe town. It's taking away the safe space in this unsafe town. How are you going to provide [marginalized people] with safety?"
WATCH | The full documentary from The Fifth Estate:
Coun. Danny McCallum said the town has not said the GSA could not use the new library.
"We're not denying anyone anything. We never once said you can't have the space," McCallum said.
"We aren't intending to cut programs … We want to put in a brand new building so that all people can use the space for their needs."
Lymburner stressed the library will remain independent from the school – including with borrowing materials and programming.
"The library will still be a public library. It will not be a school library, it will be run by the library board," Lymburner said.
"So, the teachers will not be able to tell the librarians what to do or anything like that."
However, in a recording of a Jan. 29 library board meeting obtained as part of The Fifth Estate investigation, library directors were told the school board will control the space.
Move, budget cuts a financial decision: Mayor
According to Lymburner, the decisions around the move and budget were primarily made to save money. He pointed out the current building is 60-years-old with high utility bills and the new location will cut costs.
The mayor said it isn't clear yet how much money will be saved by moving the library to the school complex.
He said depending on the final agreement with the school board, the school might pay for library staff salaries.
"You're cutting library programs instead of finding other ways to make money," local teen Theo Robertson, who helped found the local GSA, said.
Concerns over lack of transparency from town officials
Among the concerns of residents was the lack of transparency from the town council, which conducts much of its business behind closed doors or via email and did not post contact information for councillors on the town website.
Last year, councillors even passed a motion banning all recordings of council meetings.
Following the town hall, Valleyview's municipal website was updated to include councillor emails and the mayor's phone number.
Some Valleyview residents expressed a long-running complaint that they cannot speak during public meetings, including library board and town council meetings where politicians were making important decisions.
They also asked for more town halls and ways to engage with public officials.
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