FAQs
Why is the Town of Aylmer proposing to move the Library?
The Town of Aylmer is not proposing to move the library. Elgin County has jurisdiction over the delivery of library services across its local municipalities, including The Town of Aylmer. Elgin County is required to operate a branch of the library in each municipality that had a library branch when the County took over operations at the outset of the County library system, unless otherwise agreed upon. Provided that the criterion is met that a library branch be located within the boundary of the applicable local municipality, the County can decide where to locate the branch. The County does not require any consent or resolution from a local municipality to construct, expand, relocate or enter into lease arrangements for a library branch.
Why is this happening now?
The lease for the current space for the Aylmer Library will expire in December 2027. The Aylmer Library is severely undersized for the population it serves, which is having a negative impact on the level of service that the Aylmer Library is able to provide the residents of Aylmer. The expiry of the current lease provides Elgin County with time to find a feasible solution to the space needs for the branch. The Board of the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) approached Elgin County with the suggestion that the Aylmer Library could be moved into vacant space in the Complex. Elgin County Council directed County staff to proceed in principle with relocation to the EECC by starting with a public consultation process.
Why does the Aylmer Library need more space?
The Aylmer Library is the busiest library branch in the Elgin County Library system. It has the most visits each year, and it circulates the most items. For the busiest and most-used branch, it is far too small to provide the recommended level of service. The statistics show that while the circulation is high, the percentage of materials that are able to sit on the shelves in the Aylmer Library is low because there is just not enough space. There is no dedicated program space for Aylmer Library staff to deliver programs that the Aylmer community deserves, so the content, format, and even attendance caps on programs severely limit what programs staff are able to run. County public libraries in Ontario use ARUPLO’s Guidelines to plan service levels which are revised on a periodic basis. The guidelines for space, number of staff, number of hours open, collection size, technology offerings, and more, are all calculated based on the size of the population served. The reality for space for the Aylmer Library is at 31% of the recommended guideline for the size of the population that it serves. This missing 69% accounts for the challenges the Aylmer Library currently faces, such as a lack of program space and inability to house an appropriate level of new materials..
Most people walk to the Library, why would you move it away from downtown where people live?
Statistics show that most Library users in Aylmer drive to the Library, not walk. For those who either prefer to walk, or don’t have access to a vehicle, the East Elgin Community Complex is in relatively close proximity to the current Aylmer Library location. The Aylmer Library serves a catchment area beyond downtown Aylmer, stretching from south of College Line in the Township of Malahide to Port Bruce. A location within Aylmer’s boundaries with ample parking would benefit users from the entire area served by Aylmer Library.
Why is the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) being considered as a new location?
In November 2024 the EECC Board approached Elgin County with the idea that the Aylmer Library could move into the Imperial Hall at the EECC. Elgin County staff prepared a report and presented it to Elgin County Council. In January 2025 Elgin County Council recommended in principle that County staff move forward with the consideration, starting with a public consultation process that is currently unfolding.
How can Aylmer residents and Aylmer Library users have their say?
By participating in this consultation process! The Aylmer Library is a well-used community service and we value the feedback of all library users in the community. We want your input not only on the location of the library, but also the types of services you want to see delivered. This website and the survey linked here are how we are collecting feedback from members of the public about this idea. The survey will be available to complete from May 6 – 28, both online and in print at Elgin County Library branches, and we look forward to seeing the results.
What will happen to the Old Town Hall building if the Library leaves?
What happens to the Old Town Hall building is entirely up to the Town of Aylmer. The Town owns the building, Elgin County leases the space on the first floor in the building for the Aylmer Library and only has tenant rights and responsibilities over the space. The County has no say in what happens to the building.
Why isn't an expansion of the current location being discussed?
Elgin County Library does not own the building or the land at the current location. As a result, an expansion to the current location would need to be led by the Town of Aylmer as the owner of the building. Elgin County Library is a tenant in the current space.
Elgin County Council approved the exploration of a plan to move the Aylmer Library to the East Elgin Community Complex in principle in order to address long standing space and service needs.