Had the CBRM been receiving its proper share of equalization, we would have a new library by now. Perhaps the CBRM and the library should swap buildings. Maybe the library could be in the civic center giving the public a beautiful building to visit as well as the cruise ship passengers. Does our mayor need to have a big elaborate office overlooking the harbour? How much of that building is used and how much is empty? We walk into the lobby and that is as far as the public is allowed to go without an appointment. It is our building, and it is like Fort Knox. The CBRM Mayor and Council should consider rescinding the increasing of their salaries they provided themselves in an in-camera meeting, to offset Revenue Canada’s cancellation of a benefit they were receiving, but not entitled to anyway. They did not fight for fairness for the taxpayers with regards to equalization, so the increase has not been earned in the eyes of the taxpayers. We all saw what Halifax got for a new library on Spring Garden Road, a big architectural building with many levels all connected with escalators. Here is Martin MacLellan’s letter to the CBRM: COUNCIL CHALLENGED TO ACT ON NEW LIBRARY 4 Jan 2024 A quote from PressReader for Libraries states: “Libraries are poised to embrace yet another transformative influence more fully: augmented reality technology. An innovative approach to this emerging tech promises to revolutionize the library learning experience, enhancing education in ways that were hitherto unimaginable.” Suffice to say libraries will always be with us and will evolve to meet the changing needs of a diverse world. Some of these new services will be digital while others will use technology in adaptive and interactive ways – from old- fashioned storytelling to using digital sand boxes for collaboration and innovation. The point is Cape Breton will be left behind again without modern facilities staffed with intelligent and forward- thinking library leaders. We will be fighting for the scraps and leaving our community much poorer. Our youth will miss deeply challenging opportunities that a connected world library network would offer. Beyond the connectedness that modern libraries offer, they offer an on- theground legitimate voice, or discernment if you will, on the widespread utilization of Artificial Intelligence ( AI) technologies. While Artificial Intelligence offers great promise, there are obvious societal and education threats that will need insightful and careful dialogue. Who better than the local library research staff to ferret out the false promises of AI and to be an important local source of information dissemination on this topic? It’s almost impossible to find a Canadian city or town of any size without a modern library. What’s wrong with us? It saddens me to think that the current library in downtown Sydney is “good enough.” It’s never good enough when you expect better. Myself and others have pondered the question as to why is it so hard for our municipal leaders to grasp the importance of a new library for our community. Is it just that municipal leadership is weak? Is it that not one of the 12 councillors are prepared to stand in support of a new library? If that’s the case, shame on them. To Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Amanda McDougall- Merritt and her fellow councillors, I challenge you once again to exercise the responsibility entrusted to you. We need a new modern library. Anything less will reflect badly on our community and the incumbent team of mayor and councillors. Time is of the essence! Federal and provincial funding partners await your decision and funding plan. Martin MacLellan Sydney