Quarterly report coming on Gananoque library

The Gananoque Public Library's first-quarter activities, along with ongoing concerns about winter safety outside the facility, will be before council when it meets Wednesday evening.

The Gananoque Public Library’s first-quarter activities, along with ongoing concerns about winter safety outside the facility, will be before council when it meets Wednesday evening. Council is expected to receive the library’s quarterly report from library CEO Rachel Brown during its 5 p.m. meeting at Town Hall. The report outlines a range of winter programming and community initiatives, including a Winter Seed Sowing Workshop, March Break activities and live Olympic viewing events, alongside the library’s regular programming.

The library also expanded its informal community support efforts over the winter by providing snacks and winter accessories to patrons in need, and worked with local health agencies to offer youth-focused wellness resources. Its Youth Drop-in program continues to see strong participation, averaging about 14 attendees per session. The report also highlights collaboration with the Gananoque Fire Department, which delivered an interactive fire and ice (water) safety session for youth.

Following a visit, the deputy fire chief also identified a number of facility adjustments for the library. One of the report’s key issues focuses on winter accessibility. According to the report, ice buildup on the sidewalk leading to the library entrance continues to create safety concerns despite efforts to keep the area clear.

The report notes that ice falling from the roof made conditions particularly challenging this past winter and raises concerns for seniors, who make up a significant portion of library users. Library staff thanked town employees for their responsiveness throughout the winter and suggest exploring accessibility grants, in partnership with the town, to improve the entrance and investigate alternatives to the current configuration. Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times.

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.