BY DANIEL BARTLETT

With the recent announcement of the Fraser-Hickson Library’s closure, volunteers from the Benny and Fraser-Hickson libraries are voicing their frustrations with the lack of library services in NDG and hope a resolution is sought out.

Two weeks ago, John Dinsmore, president of the Fraser-Hickson Institute, announced that the Fraser-Hickson Library would be closing Dec. 31. He said that due to lack of funding from Centre City, the library did not have the financial means to stay open any longer.

Now, volunteers from the Benny and Fraser-Hickson libraries are speaking out. Pat Steele, a volunteer at the Fraser-Hickson for about six years, said the decision to close the library will affect the community greatly.

“I think it’s a tragedy,� said Steele, who has also been a member of the library for about 30 years. “(The Fraser-Hickson) has a history. It’s too bad.�

With Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie being the only one of the 18 other boroughs behind CDN-NDG in library space, Steele couldn’t help but feel like her borough is being shortchanged.

“If you compare the borough to others like Dorval, the difference in library services are glaring,� she said. “Also, there’s a lot of people in the area that aren’t wealthy.�

With one fewer library in NDG, Steele said she feels the area’s other libraries won’t be able to meet the needs of the Fraser-Hickson’s 12,000 members.

“The Benny Library is small and inadequate,� she said.

Anna Cockerton has been going to the Benny Library for 20 years. Ten years ago, she and her husband decided to get more involved and became partners of the library by joining the Friends of the Benny Library. Now, she is unsure if the Benny Library will be able to serve the needs of the Fraser-Hickson’s members.

“At the Fraser-Hickson, it’s just more than books,� she said, referring to the library’s shut-in service and auditorium, which serves as a venue for many cultural events in the neighbourhood. “I don’t know whether Benny does a fair job.�

In April 2003, the Fraser-Hickson closed temporarily due to operating costs. Cockerton said that at the time of its closing, the Benny Library “tried to help people that felt cut off.� Now, she said, the Fraser-Hickson’s board of directors should be seeking a long-term sustainable solution.

“I don’t think closing the library was the best idea,� she said. “For the last 100 years, that library’s been serving English Montreal. I find that I’m very frustrated (but) it’s hard because there’s no foe here. Who are we fighting?

“If every three years, you have to go through this campaign, that’s over and above any board member. I have a feeling that Michael Applebaum will find a way.�

Borough Mayor Applebaum said he met with Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay to discuss the Fraser-Hickson situation, but Centre City has maintained that they do not have the funds to support the cultural landmark. Still, Applebaum said, if he were given the $4.5 million that the Borough is currently demanding in their budget, he would be in a better situation to help finance the library.

“If I had my $4.5 million increase, there’s no question we’ll be sitting together to try and find a long-term solution,� he said.