'Drop Everything And Read' Rally Held in Estevan

Over 150 peaceful protesters made their way down to 4th street over the lunch hour today to show their displeasure with the proposed cuts to Saskatchewan libraries. Facing cuts of 50-60%, libraries across the province organized the peaceful protest. Book lovers gathered at their local MLA's office and read for 15 minutes to show how important libraries are to them.

Estevan resident, Laura O'Hanlon explained why she attended.

"I was able to sign the petition but the four little ones here can't because they are not old enough. But they are still able to take a stand and make their statements known that the changes are negatively affecting everyone. We use the library on a weekly basis for a variety of services. We have brought in books from other libraries in the province. We go to all of their events, including the reading program in the summer. And for that to be cut off is a shame."

Connie Wahlmeier from Estevan Diversified Services, shared why she and members of the group also came to the event.

"We are here to silently protest some of the closures that might happen because of the funding cuts to the libraries. Particularity, to some of the programs at the library. For our intellectual disabled adults, this is a place for them to go on the internet safely. There's programs for them, they can come do crafts."

Phil Zajac, Chairman of the Board for the Estevan Library, adds that the rally shows what the library brings to the community.

"A lot of people don't know what the library does. We run over 300 programs a year which works out to more than one a day. From kid's programs to seniors programs, the library is a source of entertainment and education where people can go and the costs are minimal. At our library, we have a kids play area, we have an area where kids can play video games, we have an architectural 3-D printer. The library today has evolved dramatically over the years from what it used to be."

He adds that he sees libraries as an important service.

"Education and health are two essential programs that need to be supported by the provincial government. I don't think that the people who are here should have to bear that burden. The programs that we run benefit the community. Libraries in small towns are such a huge part of the community and a lot of the small libraries are actually the school library. We have internet services for people who can't afford internet. We have that service for people who are unemployed where they can look for jobs. We all understand that the belt needs to be tightened but not at the expense of programs like this. There's other places that they can find money. The timelines don't have to be as narrow. Hopefully the Sask Party will rethink their budget."

O'Hanlon added that she hopes the provincial government will reconsider where they are making their cuts.

"What looks good on paper is not always what is the right thing to do for the community. When I first moved here, it was a resource for me to meet people"

Wahlmeier echoed the importance local libraries have on the community.

"We need libraries. We need a safe place for our clients to come. I heard that Don Morgan say that we no longer need brick and mortar libraries but I don't think that's true. People still need a place of community. It's a good way to get out and meet other people."

While many in attendance reading, Victoria Utman, children's coordinator for the Estevan library, became emotional regarding the turnout.

"I'm really overwhelmed by the amount of support we have here in our community of Estevan. I think these rallies that are going on across Saskatchewan really demonstrate the love of our public library system here. People use these facilities, they use our resources. They are accessing information for free, they're coming to programs for free. It's such a valuable service. These are the people these budget cuts are going to be affecting and this physically demonstrates who is going to be impacted by a 60% budget cut to our provincial libraries."

She added that there was a petition available for those wanting to sign.

"If we can get 15% of Saskatchewan eligible voters to sign the petition then the provincial government is obligated to answer the question on top of the petition which reads 'Should the Government of Saskatchewan reinstate library funding as per the 2016 levels?' If we can get those numbers then they are forced to listen to us."

MLA for Estevan, Lori Carr was in attendance at the rally and spoke with protesters.

"There were a lot of budget decisions that were made that were very hard. What the people have to say is very important to me and I'm going to take it all back to the ministry. I'm listening and I'm taking it seriously.

Recently Minister of Education, Don Morgan, asked the libraries to continue the inter-library loan system known as "One Province, One Library Card", which has been temporarily suspended due to the cuts. However, he did not provide any further funding for the program.