Downtown library replaces 'outdated' English-only signs

Installation of the first phase of multilingual signage at James L. McIntyre Centennial Library is nearly complete, members of the library board learned Monday night.

"Bilingual signs (English/French) have been installed throughout the building, replacing outdated unilingual ones," Matthew MacDonald, library chief executive officer, said in a written report.

Thirty years after City Council passed its controversial English-only language resolution, the library received a grant last year from the Ministry of Francophone Affairs, allowing it to install bilingual wayfinding signs and to expand its collection of French-language books, ebooks and multimedia children's computers.

MacDonald said then that the funding was insufficient to purchase all the needed signage, so opportunities would be sought to pay for the remaining phases.

"What remains outstanding in Phase 1 is an updated emergency map to be posted next to the elevator and an exterior sign indicating where returns are to be dropped off," MacDonald reported to his board on Monday.

"Once complete, staff will begin investigating funding sources in order to complete the next stage of wayfinding updates."

"Each sign is in a frame with an insert which can easily be replaced should information change, or a third language be added."

Library directors have asked that Anishinaabemowin signs also be added as the upgrades proceed.

"It is the board’s desire that the signs be trilingual," MacDonald told SooToday.

"Staff will be seeking funding for Indigenous [signage] to proceed with the next phase of the wayfinding upgrades."

In other news, MacDonald reported that no layoffs are expected during the current stay-at-home orders.

However, about 30 per cent of part-time library staff (mostly student pages) have not been recalled.

The downtown James L. McIntyre Centennial Library and the North Branch have offered only curbside service since Dec. 29.

Board members also voted Monday to redistribute the recently donated Sault Star archives between the Centennial and North Branch libraries.

The newspaper's biography files (clippings, photos and a biography of each notable Saultite) will be transferred downtown.

The Star's photographs and negatives will remain at North Branch while clipping files will stay at the Centennial library as part of the local history collection.

"We will be purchasing archival boxes to be placed on the flat shelves. Library staff will seek out funding sources to eventually convert some of the flat shelves to drawers," MacDonald said.