A request by the Rimbey Library Board for continued access to the council chambers for adult programming has been given the thumbs down by council.
At a recent meeting, council denied the request.
Coun. Matt Jaycox said councillors are not comfortable with opening up the council chambers for such public functions.
“The council chambers contains secure documents,” he said.
The library’s adult programming includes such activities as book club and coffee club.
Librarian Jean Keetch said previously the library staff used a meeting room located south of council chambers for book club. Council chambers was also used for meetings and programming in the past.
Book club and these activities. However, the meeting room adjacent to the council chambers has been converted to a storage room.
The library is cramped for space, said Keetch.
“We don’t have enough space and we have difficulty accommodating everyone,” she said.
“We would like to be able to access council chambers (especially the galley at the front of the room) for our adult programming as well as a private space when the library manager needs to have a sensitive meeting,” said Rowena Aitken, chairman of the library’s board of directors. “Our library staff and board of directors are working hard to serve our community with a well-run library.”
Keetch said she is considering suggesting to the book club to meet on a different night. However, that option would mean an increase in staffing costs.
“That would mean the library will be open one more night which will result in increased staffing costs, but the needs of the patrons must come first.”
“We have not come up with a solution,” she added. “And we need to have the data base that is available in the town office building for any library function.”