Kentville’s mayor says the town should have been part of any talks about the future of its library before the branch was selected for closure.
The Kentville Library is one of five Annapolis Valley Regional Library branches slated to close July 20.
Branches in Hantsport, Lawrencetown, Middleton and Port Williams are also scheduled to close.
In a new statement, Mayor Andrew Zebian says Kentville does not want to lose its branch.
“First and foremost, the Town of Kentville does not want to lose this branch,” Zebian wrote. “The Kentville Library is an important community asset, and Council has consistently supported it.”
Zebian says AVRL raised concerns with town staff in February about safety and day-to-day operations at the current Kentville branch.
A SafetyWorks assessment was done, and the report identified issues and made recommendations for the existing building.
But Zebian says those concerns did not lead to a request for the town to help find another location.
“At no point during that process was there a request from AVRL for the Town of Kentville to identify or secure a new location for the library,” he wrote. “There was no formal discussion with Council regarding the selection of an alternative site.”
Zebian also says Kentville supported AVRL’s recent funding request.
He says the town fully backed the request, along with the Municipality of West Hants and the Town of Annapolis Royal.
Kentville council also agreed to provide an extra $21,400 for each of the next two years.
“My view remains that the Town of Kentville should have been part of any discussions about the future of this branch,” Zebian wrote. “We demonstrated our commitment through our funding, and we remain committed to supporting library services in our community.”
Zebian says he is still speaking with provincial representatives and others involved in the issue.
He says he hopes there is still a way to keep the Kentville branch open.
“This is a service our community values deeply, and I will continue working to ensure that voice is heard,” Zebian wrote.
