by Elizabeth Earl
Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Well, this community has certainly changed our small part of the world.
It all started 119 years ago, in 1905, when the South Mountain Library was formed. It was housed in various locations over the years. In 1946 you could find it in Edna Hunter’s variety store, where the Post Office now stands. In 1970 it was moved to the little one-room schoolhouse near the Ag Hall. At first it was run by volunteers. In 1971, it became an inaugural branch in the Seaway Valley Library system, and later became part of the SDG County Library, now comprised of 15 branches.
The Friends of the South Mountain Library formed twenty years ago, in response to the threatened closure of our branch. In 2004, fourteen enthusiastic library patrons attended the first meeting. We started to promote the library, to run programs, to fundraise for improvements to the building and to advocate on behalf of our library with local government. In our first year, circulation increased 65% over the previous year. I’d like to pay tribute to the many Friends of the Library, too numerous to name, who have faithfully donated their time and enthusiasm for the improvement of our Library and our Community. Tribute must especially be paid to those whom we have lost, Shirley Mills, Mavis Graham, Dave Scharf and Diane Fox. Also Mayor Alvin Runnalls, who leant his support to the new facility. I’m very proud to be a member of this dedicated team.
In 2005, our advocacy efforts prompted Mayor Runnalls to form the Library Relocation Committee, chaired by Maria Thompson. Our Mayor and Councillors, Library Managers, and School Board officials served along with Nick Zrymiak and me. Several options were considered before deciding on the current lovely location in the park.
North Dundas Council directed us to see how much we could raise, so the Friends started submitting grant proposals which resulted in a total of over $36,000 in institutional donations. We were spurred on when the Mountain and District Lions Club offered a $10,000 donation, followed by another $10,000 from Farm Credit Corporation. Our greatest contribution came from Scotiabank, who gave over $12,000! All the major donors, of $2,500 or more, are recognized on the plaque in the lobby. The main community donors are the leaves on the Donor Tree, made by local artisans.
Architect Robert Beckett was chosen and he designed this beautiful building to function not only as a library, but also as a Resource Centre, where a meeting room and kitchen facilities are available even outside library hours.
A Community Fundraising Team was formed, chaired by Terry Triskle. Funds started to pour in from our generous community and local businesses. When our Mayor and Council, encouraged by MPP Jim Brownell, decided to put some provincial infrastructure funding towards our project, Vriend Construction and Eastern Engineering were hired, and construction started in the spring of 2009. The construction proceeded very smoothly and came in well within the budget.
In total, the Friends of the Library campaign resulted in over $108,000 in donations. About $12,000 of that was gifts-in-kind, and $96,538 cash went to the Township. Now readership and circulation have grown, and programs and services are offered free to all ages through collaboration between the Friends and library staff.
Displays were created to honour “The Fallen Five” and the creations of local artists. A knitting and crocheting group meets on Thursday afternoons. Teens and adults enjoy programs such as Ukrainian Easter Eggs and Natural Christmas Wreaths. The Resource Room has been also used for Yoga and T’ai Chi programs which are run by the Township of North Dundas and educational sessions for home-schoolers.
Since the new building opened, we have donated over $20,000 to the facility. The improvements include the entire kitchen, cupboards, appliances, dishes – even the kitchen sinks. The A/V system, with projector, screen and speakers, the window blinds and drapes, children’s furniture and several area rugs. Also the Resource Room Artisan Display Cabinet, the Christmas decorations, and of course the beautiful garden and trees out front. Fundraising was accomplished by Used Book Sales, Family Gingerbread Workshops and Trivia Nights at local golf courses.
Now that our fundraising needs have diminished, we voluntarily revoked our CRA charitable status and donated our remaining funds. The library purchased a TV and gaming set-up and a coffee/tea station for the patrons to enjoy.
The Friends will continue to work with the library staff so that this facility will remain the heart of the community.