Hay River’s library will offer limited programming aimed at children until May 2027 and won’t open to the public as only one librarian is working, the GNWT says.
During an October 20 town council meeting, Hay River senior administrative officer Glenn Smith said the GNWT was trying to hire a librarian for the period up to July next year.
Sameeksha Dandriyal, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, confirmed to Cabin Radio that a local librarian had been hired – but only until May 2027.
Because of rules that require two staff members to be on site for public operations, only one librarian means the library will not be open for regular public access, Dandriyal said.
Scheduled activities for toddlers and children will continue, and the public can arrange to pick up library materials in advance. The library also offers digital resources that can be accessed any time.
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“While the Town of Hay River look for a permanent staffing solution, the GNWT continues to work with them to identify a sustainable path forward for library services, on an interim basis,” said Dandriyal.
“Discussions are focused on understanding local priorities and identifying a path forward that supports the long-term provision of library services in the community.”
Smith said the town sent a letter to the GNWT in early October, following council’s direction, outlining how the town could support library services “under certain conditions.”
Those conditions were not specified during the council meeting. Hay River’s economic development and communications manager, Genny Smith, told Cabin Radio the town is still in negotiations and cannot yet discuss those details.
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“Everybody wants to work together,” she said. “It is in the best interest of the community.”
The library’s staffing and governance issues follow a decision by the GNWT to end direct funding of the head librarian position as part of an effort to align funding for Hay River’s library with the model used for the territory’s other public libraries.
The volunteer library committee stepped down on April 30, closing the library while the town and GNWT continued discussions over its future.
The library reopened in the summer thanks to the GNWT hiring a casual library employee and a summer student, but closed again to the public in September.
