Numerous Canadian musicians — among authors, artists, writers, librarians and arts workers of various kinds — have signed an open letter opposing the Peterborough Public Library's recent decision to eliminate three unionized staff positions.
Neil Young, Sarah Harmer and Jill Barber are just a few of the renowned singer-songwriters who have backed the letter, organized by grassroots advocacy group Our Future Peterborough, which is addressed to the city council, library board and CEO Jennifer Jones.
As the Toronto Star reports, the Peterborough City Council voted to reduce the library's operational budget by $120,000 earlier this year, resulting in the elimination of three specialist roles: the children's librarian, the adult and teen programming librarian, and the access services librarian.
"Children deserve safe, welcoming, and magical spaces where their imagination and creativity are encouraged and celebrated," the letter reads, underscoring the importance of children having curated library programming to help foster lifelong literacy and creativity. The letter argues that the elimination of the children's librarian role is a massive misstep in "a world that feels increasingly indifferent and even hostile toward children's wellbeing."
Hilary Evans, who co-founded Our Future Peterborough alongside Sheetal Rawal and Laurel Harris, told the Star yesterday (June 12) that she had not yet heard back from any decision makers since the letter was published. Meanwhile, library CEO Jones told the publication that she believes the open letter is based on a "misunderstanding" of the cuts being made — a claim Evans rejects, arguing that the restructured positions will be "disconnected from the actual people who are using the programs."