Northern Alberta residents pack small town meeting over library's future

For the first time, supporters of the Valleyview library have heard directly from the town's mayor and council about a contentious move to eventually close the existing facility and relocate it in a yet-to-be-built K-12 school. 

The library's funding and future have become a source of tension in the community, located about 350 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. 

The town hall meeting was called after weeks of criticism of the town council and a few heated library board meetings, including one last month that culminated in the RCMP being called during the public engagement portion. One of the board members resigned days after.

It followed an investigation by CBC's The Fifth Estate that found the town's decisions to close and move the library were conducted behind closed doors, with Valleyview residents unable to have their voices heard. Town officials declined to speak to The Fifth Estate for that story. 

The March 10 meeting was the first opportunity supporters of the Valleyview's public library had the chance to question officials about several recent decisions.

The council had previously voted to cut library funding by $60,000 in December 2023 – about half the town's allocation.

Residents also questioned how the town was appointing library board members.

Valleyview council appoints library board members, and they can serve three consecutive terms – only able to serve more if two-thirds of council agree to let that member continue. 

More than 100 people attended the meeting at the town's Memorial Hall, some to have their voices heard, others to hear the mayor and councillors speak. Valleyview is home to about 1,800 people. 

"The library is not closing," Valleyview Mayor Vern Lymburner said during the town hall. 

"We're looking at moving it to a new facility, a brand-new facility.

"We're hoping to stop some of the rumours going around town where people seem to know a lot about everything, but in some instances, they don't know anything."

The proposed new space for the library in the new Northern Gateway Public School's facility is half the size of its current home on the town's main street.

"It's done in a lot of other places and it's a wonderful place. It's a hub in their community. It takes a little getting used to right off the bat, but it does work," Lymburner told the crowd about locating a public library in a school.