Library memberships plummet following demerger

“The library membership has gone down because Montrealers can no longer belong to the library at no cost,� said Westmount's Director of Library Services Ann Moffat. “When they hear that it costs $119, they go to the library in their neighbourhood.�

When Westmount was merged, Montrealers only had to pay $2 for a yearly membership. At the time, thousands of enthusiastic newcomers swarmed in to borrow books and sign up for Internet access. But now that Westmount is a reconstituted city, the library charges $119 for adults, $50 for seniors and $50 for students. The hike in prices caused 94 per cent of non-residents to leave and last month there were only 1,465 adult Montrealers still registered.

“Some were not happy because they really liked the library,� said Moffat. “We try to tell them that it’s equivalent to $10 a month.�

It’s not easy trying to please everyone, especially those who can’t afford it.

“Quite a few people were upset and couldn’t pay,� said circulation desk clerk Kristina Donald. “But some are happy with the resources we offer and were willing to pay.�

Circulation desk clerk Dylan Spevack-Willcock pointed out that many non-residents continue to make use of the library by using books as references, reading magazines or using the quiet space to do their homework and study with friends.

“Most people understood that their taxes weren’t paying for it, so the money had to come from somewhere,� he said.

Other demerged cities on the island of Montreal also charge non-residents hefty fees. At the Côte-Saint-Luc library, an adult membership costs $175, but in Kirkland it only costs $40. The best deal is at the Pierrefonds library where there is no charge for those who still live in merged cities.

Westmount resident Merylyn Wilk has been visiting the Westmount library for over 50 years. She thought the new member fees were too expensive for seniors and non-residents who live off welfare checks.

“Most of Westmount is upper-middle class families, so for them it’s ok. But maybe not for everybody else,� she said.

Wilk was concerned with the continuously difficult situation for Montrealers to get access to books, education and Internet.

“I think everyone should have access to a library like this one,� said Wilk. “It’s terrible that the Fraser-Hickson library is closing.�

A lack of investment in libraries has caused the Fraser-Hickson library to no longer afford to maintain its building. Chief Librarian Frances W. Ackerman said it will most probably shut its doors by the end of January until it is sold to a new owner.

Last May, the City of Montreal published a report evaluating the state of Montreal’s libraries. Ever since cities have demerged, there has been a major decline in access to updated books and adequately-staffed libraries. The report stated that the majority of boroughs fail to reach the provincial standard of 3.0 books per person and need serious financial help.

“Libraries are in such a bad state, in terms of the hours they’re open and their books,� said city councillor Kathleen Duncan. “Westmount is very well served because we have a lot of programs here. Westmount is a jewel.�