The board of directors of Bibliothèque Au fil des mots says it will begin the process of dissolving the non-profit organization and ceasing library operations if Saint-André-d’Argenteuil (STADA) Council maintains its proposed $50,000 contribution for 2027. The warning came in a Thursday, October 22 letter to the municipality, following weeks of discussions between the board and municipal representatives over the library’s future funding.
The municipality confirmed its intention to provide $50,000 in a press release issued Wednesday, October 28. However, the contribution has not yet been formally approved and is expected to be considered as part of the municipality’s 2027 budget in December.
The proposed contribution represents a significant reduction from the funding the library received in 2026. According to Board President Marie-Josée Fournier, the municipality contributed $90,000 directly to Au fil des mots in 2026 and paid an additional $17,891.29, including applicable taxes, to Réseau BIBLIO des Laurentides for services provided to the library.
That brings the municipality’s total library-related contribution for 2026 to $107,891.29, or approximately $32.60 per resident, based on a population of 3,309.
The board requested $92,300 for 2027, plus an additional $2,000 to replace two computers that can no longer support software updates.
The board has characterized the proposed reduction as more than 50 per cent, comparing the proposed $50,000 contribution with the municipality’s total library-related spending in 2026, including its payment to Réseau BIBLIO. It remains unclear whether the municipality would continue paying the network separately in 2027 or whether that expense would be included in the proposed $50,000.
Municipality defends proposed contribution
In its October 28 press release, the municipality said the proposed contribution reflects council’s intention to manage public resources responsibly while continuing to support library services.
It also said money no longer allocated to the library would be redirected to a new fund dedicated to parks, recreational activities, and municipal infrastructure. According to the municipality, the reallocated funds would support projects responding to the needs of families, young people, and the wider community.
The municipality also acknowledged the possibility that Au fil des mots could cease operating. In that event, it said it would approach neighbouring municipalities about intermunicipal agreements to maintain residents’ access to book lending, documents, and other library resources.
The library issue will not appear on the Tuesday, November 3 council meeting agenda, STADA Director General Paula Knudsen confirmed to The Review. Knudsen said no decision requiring council consideration or approval is scheduled at this time and that the proposed $50,000 has not yet been formally approved.
Board says it sought alternatives
The disagreement dates back to Tuesday, September 29, when municipal representatives informed the library board of the municipality’s intention to limit its 2027 contribution to $50,000.
Fournier said the board told the municipality that it would not be possible to maintain the library’s operations with that amount.
On Tuesday, October 13, the board sent a letter requesting a meeting to discuss the library’s future and possible ways to reduce operating costs. One option it raised was relocating the library to municipal premises to reduce expenses. The board also provided the municipality with its strategic plan and a document outlining the value of services provided through Réseau BIBLIO des Laurentides.
On Monday, October 19, council held a working session on a separate matter and mandated Knudsen to inform the board that it was maintaining the position presented at the September meeting. The board received that response on Wednesday, October 21.
In its October 22 reply, the board expressed disappointment that no further discussion had been offered despite its request to explore possible solutions. It warned that the proposed funding would require major cuts to services and activities, leaving the organization unable to continue operating.
The board said that if council maintains its position, it will begin the process of dissolving the non-profit organization and ending library operations.
Library points to community role
In its correspondence with the municipality, the board emphasized that Au fil des mots provides more than book-lending services, describing it as a community gathering place and an important source of cultural, educational, and social services for residents.
The library works with local schools and the Centre de la petite enfance (CPE), welcoming students for visits, supplementing school collections, and providing support for homework. It also offers activities such as a youth book club, story time, and a reading group for seniors.
Other community initiatives include serving as a drop-off point for food drives, working with the Mission des Lutins, and providing space for activities and community events.
The board says the library operates with one part-time employee and approximately 10 volunteers, many of whom are seniors. It also noted that volunteering provides residents, particularly retirees, with an opportunity to remain involved in their community.
The board’s October 13 letter pointed to the municipality’s 2024-2028 strategic plan, arguing that the library contributes to several of its priorities, including improving access to services, supporting learning and culture, and strengthening community life. The board also noted that residents had suggested expanding the library during public consultations for the plan.
Regional report identifies service gaps
A BiblioQualité report prepared by Réseau BIBLIO des Laurentides in May 2026 provides additional context about the library’s resources and services. The report assesses municipal libraries using indicators such as collection acquisitions, opening hours, facilities, staffing, and seating. It found that Au fil des mots falls below several of the standards used for libraries serving communities of its size.
In 2025, the library was open 16 hours per week, compared with the 26-hour standard cited in the report. Its 70-square-metre space represented 18 per cent of the recommended area for a community of its size.
The report also found that 77 per cent of the library’s local collection was more than five years old, exceeding the recommended guideline of 55 per cent. Its subscription rate was 11 per cent, compared with a regional average of 24 per cent.
Despite those limitations, the library recorded 5,668 loans and 4,277 visits in 2025, according to the report. It also recorded 10 activities, compared with an average of 51 in similar-sized municipalities, with the report identifying limited space as a contributing factor.
A separate Réseau BIBLIO document estimates the equivalent value of services and resources provided to STADA through the network at more than $1.4 million. The figure is the network’s estimate and does not represent a direct payment or cash saving to the municipality.
The proposed contribution remains subject to the municipality’s 2027 budget process. The board has warned that without a change in council’s position, the future of the local library is at risk.
The board is urging residents to attend the November 3 council meeting at 7 p.m. to voice their concerns about the proposed funding reduction.
