Marigold in need of upgrades

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Numerous issues surrounding the 60-year-old Marigold Library System’s headquarter building, are causing the organization to be proactive in undergoing a feasibility study.
For 10 years, the nearly 30-member staff were faced with a dilemma of adapting to growing conditions or face a $6 million solution – a solution not currently available in the budget.
The Marigold Library System, which is not a public library but provides services to libraries in 44 municipalities, is currently located in Strathmore, across from the Sacred Heart Academy in an old armory building constructed in the 1950s. For years, the organization has put up with heating and cooling problems, flooding, lack of storage, water damage, and a deteriorating roof.
“Because Marigold is now the third largest library system in the province, based on resident service population, we’re feeling more than ever that our building is too small,” said Michelle Toombs, CEO of Marigold Library System.
“We are certainly feeling the effects of not having proper heat and cooling systems, and not having adequate space to load and unload our vehicles outside in the dead of winter. This building would be good for some types of organizations. It isn’t good for us anymore.”
Currently, the library system has $1.7 million in reserves saved but is restricted by the Alberta Library Act in how to proceed with fundraising. According to Toombs, library systems were created over 50 years ago by the provincial government. Out of seven library systems, Marigold, which was created in 1981, is now the third largest, falling just behind Calgary and Edmonton. While regional systems received infrastructure funding from the Alberta government towards upgrading headquarters in the past, Marigold hasn’t received provincial funding since 1989.
“We felt that it was reasonable that the province would support us again like they would for schools and other institutions, and there’s been a great demand on infrastructure funding in the province, so we feel that we’re in the queue but maybe not the top of the queue and we need to do some very substantial advocating to get there,” Toombs said.
“All the library systems support each other and work together and we’ve asked to have a meeting with the minister. Unfortunately the minister of municipal affairs was recently switched to another portfolio. There have been six ministers in municipal affairs in less than two years, and every time that happens everybody sort of needs to get on board again and help that individual get acquainted with who we are and why we exist.”
Marigold is planning on having a feasibility study completed to provide the organization with a functioning plan and possible costs attached. As for now, the library system is looking at expanding, finding a new building, or joining into a partnership.