The Friends Of The Oliver Library (FOTOL) is an independent, non-profit organization whose purpose includes focusing public attention on our local Library and its needs. We also raise funds to supplement and/or enhance available funding to make our Library a place of great pride in our community.
What’s Up At The Oliver Branch Of The ORL That Has Its “Friends” Concerned?
Stephanie Hall, Executive Director of the Okanagan Regional Library, was the guest speaker at our FOTOL Annual General Meeting, in September of 2013. It was there that Stephanie acknowledged that although our local branch was one of the busiest in the valley, there was a strong possibility that the Oliver Branch would see cutbacks in both our facility size and staffing.
As a result of these proposed cutbacks, the FOTOL has been actively advocating to have our current levels of service maintained.
Earlier this year, the ORL began “looking for expressions of interest to see what other, slightly smaller and less expensive, building options” were available in Oliver. After months of uncertainty, it was announced that our Library had been given a temporary reprieve and would be staying at its present location for three years.
This was in part due to concessions from our landlord. Our understanding is that staffing cuts are still being considered. These cuts will negatively impact the delivery of the Library’s programs and services.
What Can You Do To Help The Oliver Library?
Ask the candidates currently running for Town Council and Regional Director, how they propose to support our Library both now and in the future, then be sure to get out and vote accordingly!
Check out the FOTOL’s “Inquiring Minds,” Information Poster on display at the Oliver Library. There you will find the questions prepared by the FOTOL and presented to each of the candidates, as well as the Candidates’ responses.
Share your personal story about the importance of our Library with the candidates for example, “I appreciate the library as a place where ….”
If it’s been a while since you last visited our Library, it’s time to re-acquaint yourself with this important community asset. Public libraries generate economic activity around them, enhance cultural and social vitality, and contribute to a community’s overall livability. … Our Library is a centre for community engagement and lifelong learning…
Take some time to get to know us again. We guarantee you’ll become a library champion!
(Submitted by the Friends of the Oliver Library.)
