Mayor Josh Morgan hinted at big plans for the future of library branches after being chosen to replace Coun. Peter Cuddy on the London Public Library (LPL) board.
On Tuesday, councillors on the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) said nothing about their colleague’s removal from the LPL board for missing three consecutive meetings—although Cuddy did use the opportunity to compliment himself.
“[I] really felt I made a great contribution to the board. One of the best things that I think we did, and that I pushed for, was a new roof on Beacock Library, which wasn’t an easy job to get done,” he said.
Mayor Josh Morgan would eventually be chosen over Coun. Anna Hopkns (9 votes to 5) to sit on the library board after hinting at a strategy to transform the library system to address its looming financial challenges.
“I have ideas and initiatives that I’d like to bring to the board for consideration that are best suited, given it involves property acquisition to be done in-camera (behind closed doors) as a board member rather than outside of that process,” Morgan told committee members.
According to the LPL 2024 Asset Management Plan, there are $206 million of infrastructure assets under LPL management.
Overall, those assets have been evaluated to be in “fair” condition.
However, a cumulative 10-year infrastructure gap to maintain or expand service levels is estimated to reach $24 million to $36 million by 2032.
“When I heard the mayor talk about the capital asset management plan and some matters that need to be brought forward around that is really critical in this next phase,” said Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis. “We have to find ways to do things differently. It cannot just all be about increasing budgets.”
On Wednesday, the mayor told CTV News that his strategy for the future of neighbourhood branches could help address both the infrastructure gap and London’s need for more housing.
“We know that we have a housing crisis [and] we know that we have a [library] branch network that does need refurbishment. I think there’s innovative ways to look at our properties, including properties owned by the London Public Library,” Morgan explained.
He suggested that library branches could be included in mixed-use housing developments or be included in public-private partnerships with developers.
“I want to bring those ideas to the library, much like I did with the way that we’ve approached parking lots, office to residential conversions,” he added.
Council will consider formally appointing Morgan to the LPL Board on March 4.
