Library is also considering cutting ties with Royal Bank

One week after the City of Sault Ste. Marie decided to issue its first request for proposals for banking services in two decades, Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is doing likewise.

As SooToday reported last week, Royal Bank has been the city's main supplier of banking services since 1987.

But after Ward 3 Coun., and now mayoral candidate, Matthew Shoemaker expressed concern about the bank's closure of its downtown branch, city staff have been directed to issue a call for proposals, opening the job to other bidders.

Sault Ste. Marie Public Library is not a department of the city but piggybacks on a number of city services, including its banking arrangement.

On Monday, the local library board voted to be part of the city's request for proposals for banking services.

Unlike city council, library directors made no mention of political considerations surrounding the downtown branch closure, only the administrative advantages.

"That way, we can take advantage of any scaling," said library chief executive officer Matthew MacDonald.

"There's a lot of efficiencies by maintaining whatever banking services the city has, by having the same ones."

"If we have two separate banking [arrangements], it will create a lot of complications for us," MacDonald said.