For those of you who are interested in recent events involving the Halifax
Regional Library Board, the following has been excerpted from the online
Chronicle-Herald (Metro, Wednesday, December 3, 2003, p. A5) article by
Amy Pugsley Fraser, City Hall Reporter.

HEADLINE/EXCERPT from The Chronicle Herald
Deputy mayor shelves library cut; Stiff opposition gains board reprieve

"The deputy mayor backed down from a contentious issue at council Tuesday,
making his previous motion to examine axing the library board little more
than a bookmark.

"I'm in the mood for a compromise," Steve Streatch told councillors,
toning down last week's suggestion in favour of looking into the
implications of continuing with the status quo.

The 14 libraries in the Halifax Regional Municipality are now operated by
an arm's-length library board run by a chief executive officer, Judith
Hare, who draws a salary of $116,000.

Without the salaries of the library board's top officials - including the
CEO and chief financial officer - the city would have a bit more money in
its coffers, Mr. Streatch said last week.

But the deputy mayor noted that his motion incited a lot of talk among
councillors, library and administrative staff."

SNIP

"In a 70-minute "debate" under the watchful eyes of a dozen or so library
representatives in the public gallery, 19 of the 23 councillors spoke.
Most of them were against Mr. Streatch's new, softer motion, indicating
the library board is already running smoothly and adhering to its
city-approved budget."

SNIP

"... council voted 16-7 against staff proceeding with an examination of
the status quo.

A separate motion to identify further synergies or opportunities for
greater co-operation between the city and the library board was passed by
council 16-7."

COMMENT:
According to a representative of the Halifax regional public libraries ,
Peter Doig, Board chair, handled press responds and did a "fabulous" job.
As well the library received letters of support from CLA, CAPL, LBANS
(Library Boards Association of NS), the Halifax Library Association, and
the Union. Madeleine Lefebvre, President, CLA; John Patterson, President,
LBANS and David Lewis, President, NSUPE Local 14, all attended the Council
meeting with library representatives. There were also numerous calls and
e-mails to Council from residents.