Markham
November 27, 2008 10:33 PM
Keely Grasser
Markham council was treated to a bit of good news at its Monday general committee meeting.
Plenty of Markham residents are treating themselves to a good book, video or Internet time or any of the other services Markham Public Libraries have to offer.
“Markham is one of the busiest libraries in the country,” said Patricia Durst, chairperson of the library board, during a presentation.
The town has the highest per capita borrowing rate in the Greater Toronto Area, she said.
That means that for every resident in Markham, 15 items were taken home, she said.
The town has experienced a 23-per-cent population increase the past five years, Ms Durst said, and a 102.5-per-cent borrowing increase.
However, staffing has only increased 30 per cent, she said, adding Markham’s libraries are operating in square footage per capita that lags behind others in the GTA.
Ms Durst outlined some challenges that would come with Markham’s booming population and an expected downturn in the economy.
Library space issues will be helped with the opening of the new East Markham branch, which will be constructed in the new community centre slated to open beside Markham Stouffville Hospital in the next several years.
South Markham has the bulk of the population, Ms Durst told council, but the least library space.
It’s the area the library board is most concerned with during a time of economic downturn. Studies show libraries tend to experience usership increases up to 20 per cent in tough economic times, she said.
People choose to use their library cards “to save money and make that paycheque go a bit farther,” Ms Durst said, adding libraries are used for both enjoyment and research.
Newcomers will increasingly turn to libraries, she said.
Markham libraries offer a range of services, from Internet time to courses on computer basics and English as a second language classes.
“Libraries support many aspects of economic development,” she said, adding if you walk into any branch, you’ll see people studying, borrowing books and updating their skills.
“We believe a strong library system is a critical part of community infrastructure,” Ms Durst said.
Markham libraries are among the most efficient in the GTA, she said, explaining staff is engaged in a process to review work flow “to change, eliminate or automate wherever possible.”
Deputy mayor Jack Heath complimented the work the libraries are doing.
“I think we’re developing the best library system in Canada. It really is. It’s economical ... And every time we open a new library, the public just raves,” he said.