The Nation Municipality, ON — The Library Board of The Nation Municipality is pleased to announce a new vision for Library Services — one that prioritizes long-term stability, thoughtful planning, and a renewed focus on community needs. We know how residents value their local libraries. That’s why our goal is not just to reopen as soon as possible, but to rebuild library services in a way that is strong and built to thrive well into the future.
A New Management Structure
As part of our new direction, the Library will become a department within the Municipality. The Library Board will continue to guide policy, budgeting, and long-term planning, in accordance with the Ontario Public Libraries Act. To ensure consistent day-to-day oversight and integration with municipal operations, the Municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will also take on the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Library. This structural approach ensures ongoing business continuity, even in the event of future staffing changes.
“This is an exciting new chapter for The Nation’s Library Services,” said Nicole Fontaine, Chair of the Library Board. “We’re building something sustainable, inclusive, and deeply rooted in our community’s values. Our goal is to create spaces that are vibrant, welcoming, and accessible — where residents of all ages can read, learn, connect, and grow. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we lay the foundation for a stronger future.”
The Next Steps Toward Reopening
While we had originally hoped to welcome residents back to our library branches on April 1, 2025, additional time is required to ensure a smooth, well-prepared, and sustainable reopening. Library services will return gradually as staffing, programming, and resources are put in place.
Recruitment is underway for a full-time Manager of Library Services — a key leadership role that will oversee daily operations, support programming, and help shape a modern and accessible library experience for residents of all ages.
The Library Board will continue to share updates as milestones are reached and decisions are made. We are excited to welcome you back into our facilities and to share our renewed vision with the community.
Background
In December 2024, The Nation Municipality Council made the difficult decision to temporarily close its library branches, effective January 1, 2025, due to governance challenges following the resignation of key Library Board members and the retirement of the Library CEO. With no succession plan in place, the Library was left without the leadership required under the Public Libraries Act. Since then, the Library Board has been reestablished and has worked in close collaboration with municipal staff to develop a new, sustainable model for Library Services.
Contact
If you have any questions or comments to share with the board, please direct them to: admin@nationmun.ca.
The Nation, ONTARIO – On Monday December 9th, 2024, The Nation Municipality’s Council made the difficult decision to temporarily close its library branches effective January 1, 2025, until March 31, 2025, due to governance challenges at the library board level.
This decision follows the resignation of the Library Board Chair and other members, along with the upcoming retirement of the long-serving Library Chief Executive Officer. The Library Board confirmed that no succession planning was in place, leaving the library without the necessary leadership required under the Public Libraries Act. It is the legal responsibility of the Library Board, not the municipal council, to oversee the library’s operations, including budget management, staffing, and long-term planning.
During this pause, we will launch a recruitment campaign to attract new community members to join the library board, enabling us to resume operations as soon as possible. At the same time, we will explore partnerships with neighboring library boards to improve service delivery. These efforts aim to develop governance models that better align with the needs and expectations of our residents.
Mayor Francis Brière acknowledged the challenges of this situation while emphasizing the need for accountability:
“We understand that libraries are an important service for our residents, and we regret the temporary disruption this closure will cause. However, as a municipal council, we have a duty to ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly and that the necessary governance structures are in place. This pause will allow us to reestablish a strong board and build a sustainable future for our library services.”
In the meantime, residents can continue accessing library services through neighboring municipalities, which offer extended hours and additional options. The Nation Municipality will reimburse membership fees incurred for these services, with further details about the reimbursement process to follow. The municipality’s administration is committed to making this transition as seamless as possible, ensuring residents retain access to library resources.
Regular updates will be shared through The Nation Municipality’s website and social media channels to keep the community informed. Residents are encouraged to reach out with questions or concerns using the contact information below. Details for those interested in joining the library board will be shared in the near future.
We thank the community and library staff for their patience and understanding as we take these necessary steps to secure a stronger future for our libraries.
ABOUT OUR LIBRARIES
Our municipality is home to three library branches: Limoges, St-Albert, and St-Isidore. These branches offer free memberships to residents, providing access to a wide range of books, programming and resources.
The cost of library services is funded through taxpayer dollars, with a proposed allocation of approximately $650,000 for the 2025 operating budget. Council has significantly reduced this amount until a new library board is established.
The proposed budget originally supported the following public service hours across our branches:
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Pierre Leroux
Chief Administrative Officer
admin@nationmun.ca
While we had hoped to welcome you back to our library branches on April 1, 2025, we require additional time to ensure a smooth and well-prepared reopening. The Board remains committed to finalizing policies and is making progress in recruiting an interim CEO to support this transition.
Need books in the meantime? Starting April 1st, visiting neighbouring libraries will be at the user’s expense; however, the municipality will reimburse membership fees for its residents. Click here for more information on how to request a reimbursement and the eligibility criteria.
Residents can still visit the Casselman Public Library, which is free for everyone to access.
We understand that this extension may be disappointing, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding. We remain committed to keeping you informed about the next steps.
If you have any questions or comments to share with the board, please direct them to: admin@nationmun.ca.
The new Library Board met for the first time on Monday, March 3rd! This dedicated group of volunteers from across the municipality is committed to supporting our libraries and ensuring they continue to serve the community effectively.
During the meeting, board members were brought up to speed on current challenges and began important discussions on the library’s future. Their first priority? Developing key policies and procedures to ensure strong governance, respond to community needs, and make the best use of taxpayer resources. This work specifically addresses gaps where policies or procedures were previously non-existent, creating a more structured and accountable framework for library operations.
The board is committed to transparent communication regarding library operations and will keep the community informed as they progress in their work.
If you have any questions or comments to share with the board, please direct them to: admin@nationmun.ca.
The new Library Board is now formed! It was announced at the February 24th municipal council meeting.
The first board meeting will take place on Monday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. at The Nation Municipality Town Hall.
Thank you to the members for their commitment to our library and to everyone who expressed interest in joining the board! For any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at admin@nationmun.ca.
