Hay River’s library committee has decided to end its role as the society overseeing local library services, according to the Town of Hay River.
In a notice on Thursday, the town thanked the Hay River Library Committee for “years of dedication, volunteerism and commitment,” calling the contributions “invaluable.”
Senior administrative officer Glenn Smith told Cabin Radio last month changes to NWT Centennial Library staffing were at least partly tied to funding for the head librarian position.
The individual currently in that role is retiring and the territorial Department of Education, Culture and Employment has said it will no longer fund the position, moving Hay River’s library in line with arrangements in place for other communities.
A spokesperson for the department said Hay River’s library is the only public library in the territory overseen by a library board and the only one where the librarian is a GNWT employee.
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The town stated the last day of the committee’s operations will be April 30.
“The Town recognizes that access to library services is an important part of community life in Hay River,” the notice read. “We want to assure residents that we are actively working to ensure these services continue with minimal disruption.”
The town said council has been in regular discussion with the GNWT as well as the committee to other consider options, like establishing a new library committee “made up of local residents who are passionate about the community and have a deep connection to its library services.”
If a new committee is formed, the town added, it will continue to provide “stable core funding for program delivery.”
The town said updates will follow when available.
