County staff are working with St. Clair Township to hold a town hall meeting later this year to discuss the possibility of closing the Port Lambton Library and transferring services to the Sombra site.
Lambton County General Manager of Cultural Services Andrew Meyer told Sarnia News Today that while an exact date hasn't been set, they're looking ahead to late September or early October for the public forum.
The county endorsed plans to merge the two libraries in June because of space constraints and accessibility challenges.
However, not all members of St. Clair Township council agreed with the recommendation during its July meeting.
"I, personally, don't want to see Port Lambton close," said Mayor Jeff Agar.
Deputy Mayor Steve Miller agreed with Agar and said he's been fighting the closure of libraries for at least 30 years.
A report to council said in order to offer a modern library experience, a larger footprint would be required. Staff recommended a renovation and expansion of the Sombra Library (to be done in phases) to meet future needs.
An early estimate for the proposed project suggests the cost for the county would be approximately $258,500. It's unknown what the township's share would be or if there are potential grant opportunities.
"I don't know how you can justify spending that much money in Sombra to put in all the amenities you want there," Miller said. "That's a lot of money. Do you really think it's going to be utilized?"
Meyer said they do expect to boost participation with added services and programming.
"I'm more concerned with the older people who just want to go get a book to read," Miller said. "The computer-literate people don't need libraries to be quite honest with you. They can find anything they want on the internet."
Library Services Manager Darlene Coke said libraries are no longer just a place to borrow physical books, there's a social element with services and meeting places. Library cardholders also have the ability to borrow video games, movies, provincial park passes, recreational equipment and tools.
If the library merger moved forward, the Sombra site would begin to operate at a minimum of 24 hours per week.
"Currently, our resources are divided between two twelve hour branches, so very limited access three days a week for residents," Meyer said. "The thought, in terms of consolidation, would be to increase to 25 at one location, enhance the size, [and] enhance the services that could be offered there in the hopes that it would better serve the community."
Councillor Bill Myers said he was "uncomfortable" with making such a decision without first hearing from residents.
Councillor Holly Foster brought forward the successful motion to work with staff to hold a town hall.
"I would like staff to be consulted because part of it -- our infrastructure, we have so many buildings we have to look at. Nobody's going to like change but I think the time is coming where we're going to have to consolidate," Foster said.
Meyer said in the meantime, the county is interested in painting the Sombra location.
A library review conducted in 2023 recommended the closure or expansion of several libraries to ensure needs are met over the next decade.
The Shetland Library is set to close on August 29 and the Florence Library will begin operating with extended hours on September 1.