When it comes to the many services provided by Ontario municipalities, libraries are often one of the resources which are unfortunately taken for granted.
Just about any program or service cities such as Oshawa direct taxpayer dollars towards will have naysayers claiming it to be a wasteful or unnecessary cost.
This is understandable in most cases, as not everything taxes pay for have a benefit that is immediately tangible.
In today’s society, libraries go far beyond just being a place to check out your favourite book.
They provide quality, educational programming to children and teens, as well as help for seniors who may be trying to brush up on their Internet or social media skills.
In this week’s edition of The Express, an article highlights the free tax clinics offered throughout March and April by the Oshawa Public Libraries in collaboration with a number of partners.
In January, the city’s library board unanimously passed a recommendation that a new library be built within the next five years to serve Oshawa’s growing population.
The board also advised the city consider a ‘stand-alone’ library facility in the process.
At this point, there has been no further discussions on this recommendation, and if a fifth library is built it won’t be coming any time in the near future.
But the proposal of a stand-alone library is something to get behind.
Just look at Whitby’s library branch on Dundas Street East – it’s a great example of the type of infrastructure Oshawa could strive to build.
A second important question in all of this, is where should a potential fifth library go.
Oshawa’s four current libraries are either situated east of, or in the case of the McLaughlin branch, just to the west of Simcoe Street South.
There is a gaping library hole to be filled in the city’s north west and west areas.
These are all part of a discussion which will take due diligence and careful consideration.
But one thing is for sure, a fifth library branch is an investment that makes sense in the City of Oshawa.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
