Sarah Williams
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Oct. 16, County of Lennox and Addington Council received a report outlining immediate budget control measures to sustain digital library resources.
A confluence of factors, such as the pandemic and the decline of CDs, has increased the popularity of Hoopla, a digital resource offered by the library that provides audiobooks, eBooks, movies, and more.
Hoopla costs are rising, as is its popularity, with an already 16.5 per cent jump in usage since the beginning of 2024.
Kristine D’Souza, Manager of Library Services, spoke to the staff report and provided insight as to possible cost saving strategies.
D’Souza noted the average monthly cost for providing Hoopla is over $5,000. Meanwhile, the anticipated deficit caused by this costly service is close to $17,000.
Nonetheless, this is an essential service, as D’Souza pointed out, especially for those with accessibility issues.
“Audiobooks are essential for accessibility and inclusion in libraries, providing access to literature for individuals with visual impairments, learning disabilities, and aging populations with declining eyesight,” said D’Souza.
While this resource is essential, there are other types of digital resources available through the library, such as Libby.
In the report, staff recommend that council reduce monthly checkouts, apply a price cap on certain items, and implement a daily budget cap.
Council voted to approve the staff recommendation.
-In other news, Council also received an informative report from staff that provided an update on the Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Social Services centralized uptake process.
As per the staff report, the centralized intake process is designed to simplify the Ontario Works application process for clients and streamline the municipal administrative burden by transferring the responsibility for making initial eligibility decisions for Ontario Works applications and notifying applicants from Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) to the province.
A regulatory change will take place that will designate The Ministry as the Ontario Works delivery agent and CMSMs as delivery partners.
Centralized intake is expected to be fully implemented sometime in 2025.
Speaking to the change in process, Lynn Chenier, Director of Social Services, described this as providing staff with the ability to be more involved with clients and, subsequently, achieve better outcomes.
“Will the client have direct contact with someone from the province?” asked Warden John Wise.
Chenier explained that future applications would be done online through the province. In emergency circumstances, PELASS would still be able to process applications.
“A lot will be done strictly over the computer, however, there may be instances where provincial staff need to reach out to clarify information,” she added.
With so much of the process being online and handled at a provincial level, Councillor Jim Hegadorn expressed concern for those who are either computer illiterate or do not have a computer.
“Does the province have a safety net for these people?” he asked.
As per Chenier, those who do not own a computer are advised to call Service Ontario and apply over the phone. There are also computers in PELASS offices and staff there who will assist clients with applications.
With rates of homelessness having increased substantially in this region in the last four years, Chenier also spoke to a staff report detailing housing services for people that are currently unhoused, along with the costs associated with various housing strategies.
Councillor Terry Richardson questioned Chenier on how many people are known to be homeless-those are individuals who consent to be added to a “by name” list.
“This report states that 87 people are on the by name list. 69 of those people are in Lennox and Addington,” began Richardson. “Does that number include ‘unhouseable’ people?”
Chenier explained that, while the term “unhouseable” may be bandied about in some realms, no one is ever truly, permanently “unhouseable”.
“That’s why we implement transitional housing and connect people to resources while offering them support. Hopefully, these people are able to maintain their own housing sometime in the future,” Chenier replied.
Richardson also asked whether lower tier municipalities, such as the Town of Greater Napanee, would be responsible for providing housing for individuals considered unhouseable.
“So, conceivably, we could have people that are homeless and unable to be housed, however the lower tier municipality has to provide some type of space. Is that accurate?” he asked.
Chenier replied that PELASS will always work with individuals, so long as they consent, to help attain either transitional or permanent housing.
Council passed a motion to receive this staff report for information.