Oxford Library Prepares for Re-opening

For many families, the local library is an essential service. Many might agree the library is even more important in a town like Oxford.

With after-school programs that help kids with literacy, providing an alternative to tablets and computer screens, the library plays an important role in our communities.

The most recent figures available show the Oxford Library membership at 537—nearly half the town's official population!

It has been a year since the Oxford Public Library had to close its doors. Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered other libraries and public spaces, the Oxford library fell victim to water damage and an unsafe building at its Water Street location.

Library and town staff worked quickly to restore some services to the community through a pick-up and drop-off service at a temporary space in the Oxford Medical Centre, which continued throughout the year of social distancing and remains in service today.

In December, the Town of Oxford leased space at the former Oxford Journal office on Rideau Street as the new permanent home of the local library branch. A fitness centre occupies the rear of the building. 

Following three months of renovations, at a cost of just under $20-thousand, the new Oxford Library Branch is moving closer to an official re-opening.

While the new space is slightly smaller than its previous location, the layout is much more conducive to programming and the display of material. It also boasts an accessible washroom, with room for wheelchair users as well as parents with strollers. This was one of the challenges of the former library space.

Chief Librarian Denise Corey says a delay in the delivery of shelving means they’re now hoping to open the Oxford branch sometime in May. 

Even then, the Oxford Library’s re-opening will be a long-term process, as social distancing restrictions slowly loosen with an uptake in vaccinations over the coming months.

All material dropped off still needs to be sanitized and put in quarantine for a period of time, and staff will still begin each day with a cleaning routine to ensure public health standards are met.

Local branch assistant Megan MacNutt will staff the library 20 hours per week. As the weather improves, Corey says the library will be offering more outdoor programming, making use of a small lawn space beside the building and also the gazebo, while potentially expanding to make use of other park spaces.

With the prospect of the new Oxford Library location opening in the near future, Mayor Greg Henley says this is “Very good news indeed. The advent of the free public library has to rank up there as one of mankind’s greatest accomplishments. Countless millions have benefited from the opening of the doors of something that earlier had been the enclave of only the well-to-do.”

Cumberland Public Libraries recently launched a fundraising drive to purchase new furniture, shelving and books for the relocated Oxford branch. The Chief Librarian says they hope to raise $35 thousand to cover the cost of outfitting the space, including an all-new collection of books and better furniture. The shelving alone will cost about $9 thousand and that’s the lower-cost option than had originally been planned.

The effort so far has brought in less than $2000.

Donations to help outfit the Oxford Library can be made in-person at any of the Cumberland Public Library branches, or online at: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/cumberland-public-libraries/campaign/help-us-buy-books-and-furniture-for-the-new-oxford-library/ 

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