The Canadian Union of Public Employees says residents can expect reduced service at the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre.
The union representing library workers is sounding an alarm bell over plans by the library’s management to reduce a staff position in the children’s department to part-time, eliminate student hires and implement schedule changes the union says will impact service and hours.
“We have heard from management that there will be a significant cut in funding that will eliminate student positions and dramatically reduce children’s services and programming,” says Evan Miller, CUPE 65 Unit Chair in a release.
“We’re concerned that the public doesn’t know what is happening to their library.”
CUPE is pointing to council’s decision in February regarding the library budget.
The board requested a $27,000 increase but council agreed to $2,000.
Miller says the library is the heart of the community.
“We provide a huge range of services and are the one public space that is open to everyone,” states Miller.
“That means, even as we’re getting cuts, we’re having to provide more and more services to a population facing more and more challenges. We need our community to voice their concerns and for management to rise to the challenge, not abandon us in the face of it.”
The library faced similar financial challenges in 2024, forcing it to reduce hours of operation.
In June, library workers voted to join CUPE.
