Library board in search of new members

By Cole Parkinson
Vauxhall Advance
cparkinson@tabertimes.com

The Vauxhall Public Library is hoping to add more members in the near future.

With another departure within the board, the need for new members has never been more apparent and the topic was brought forward for a brief discussion during Vauxhall town council’s meeting on Sept. 21.

“We’ve had a really tough time getting new members the last few years for the board,” said Coun. Kim Cawley, who also sits on the board. “At our last meeting, our treasurer resigned as she doesn’t live or work in the town anymore and that’s fine. Our chair, I’m not sure if she is running again and I think we’re down to four board members come our AGM in November, and that includes Marilyn and me. The Friends (of the Vauxhall Public Library) is almost non-existent.”

Current members include Cawley, Coun. Marilyn Forchuk, Lucy Norris (chair), Joerg Klempnauer, Pat Coad and Edi Winberg. The lack of volunteers is no new issue for the Vauxhall area as even council had a lack of interested people in the last election.

“After the library was built, it seems to me, that the library has been really struggling to get volunteers just like every other group,” said Mayor Margaret Plumtree.

As far as the future of the board is concerned, there is an option for the town to take over. While that isn’t the first and most preferable option, it is something the board has had brief discussions on if no people stepped up to join.

“I don’t know if we can do some campaigning to try to get some board members,” added Cawley.

“COVID is probably making it even harder for you,” replied Plumtree.

Before any final decision, council wanted to have the board members discuss how they wanted to proceed. Whether it be trying to find more members or if they would prefer having the town take over, council, they wanted to hear from the board first.

“I’d rather hear it from them that just say we’re doing it,” added Plumtree.

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