Lions earn honour for library efforts
Posted Mar 12, 2010 By John Nelson
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Tweet ThisEMC News Friends of the South Mountain Library and local politicians braved a late winter wallop to recognize a local club whose early and steadfast support helped make the new resource centre a reality.
As heavy snow fell outside, North Dundas Mayor Alvin Runnalls presented a plaque marking the Mountain and District Lions Club's contributions, to past president Bob Weagant.
Friends chairwoman Elizabeth Earl said that the local Lions club offered their help even before plans for a new library and resource centre which officially opened on Dec. 5, 2009 had taken shape. Once plans were in place, the Lions were there.
"They were our initial donors," said Ms. Earl. "They really gave us a good start on the campaign."
In order to construct the Main St. facility, $100,000 had to be raised locally and the Lions club chipped $10,000 right off the bat.
Mr. Weagant was blunt in explaining the reason for his club's unwavering support.
"Our library was decrepit," he told the EMC. "It's needed in the community. The (village's) future depends on the library."
A retrofit or upgrades to the previous building wouldn't do the trick and the library, part of the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry system, was targeted for closure in 2004. That's when Friends of the South Mountain Library formed up to fight for the local library.
The new facility features an expanded library section and a separate-access resource centre with a kitchen. In keeping with the plan to serve the village's future needs, the library offers computers and Internet connections.
Mr. Weagant added that the resource centre was a key component of plans for a new library, solving the meeting-space-shortage problem in the community.
Ms. Earl said both sides of the facility were being well used.
"The library is signing up new members almost every shift," she said. "The resource centre is getting good use. It's very heavily booked."
Ms. Earl said the facility was having an impact even beyond its doors, explaining that skaters who visit the nearby park have been able to go inside and warm up with a hot chocolate.
"The location is perfect," she said. "It's a benefit for everybody."
Mr. Weagant was humble in accepting praise for the Lions' effort but pointing the club's motto to serve the community, said that he was proud of the work done by the Mountain and district's 26 members. He noted that club members are very active in the community and raise about $15,000 annually.
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