Accessibility, funding and space limitations remain key issues for Smiths Falls Public Library
Smiths Falls Public Library is seeing more people through its doors, more materials circulating and growing demand for programs, as staff say the modern library has become far more than a place to borrow books.
Library CEO Amanda Foster and Stephanie Clark, director of community services, presented an overview of the library’s role, services and challenges during the June 8 committee of the whole meeting.
Clark said the presentation came after council expressed interest in learning more about the library’s inner workings, community impact and funding.
She framed the library as one of the town’s key “third places,” a space outside of home, work or school where people can gather, connect and take part in community life without financial barriers or formal membership.
“The public library plays a critical role in our community and across the country,” Clark said, noting it supports early literacy, lifelong learning, access to information, social connection and community well-being.
Foster used the presentation to push back on common myths about the library, including the idea that it is only for readers, families with young children, or people who can easily access the historic Carnegie building.
“It’s not just a place to borrow books,” Foster said.
She said the library offers adult craft programs, children’s programming, museum and park passes, streaming music and films, digital resources, public computers, Wi-Fi, study rooms, photocopying, printing and faxing.
Recent statistics show use of the library has grown sharply since returning from its temporary location. In-person visits rose from 17,610 to 28,864 over a 10-month comparison period. Physical circulation increased from 20,316 to 24,858, while electronic circulation rose from 15,660 to 17,295.
Children’s summer program attendance increased from 584 in 2024 to 857 in 2025. March Break program attendance rose from 43 in 2025 to 142 in 2026.
Foster said having proper space again has made a clear difference.
“You have the space, then suddenly you can let more kids come, and they will come,” she said.
She also addressed accessibility concerns, acknowledging the library’s historic building is not ideal and does not meet universal design standards. The library lift has worked for most users, she said, though there has been one case where a person could not fit into it.
Foster said the library is not fully accessible in the way staff would like, but she pushed back on the idea that it is inaccessible altogether. She also noted the library offers a visiting library service for residents who cannot physically come to the building.
“If you, for any reason, are unable to physically come to the library, we will bring books to your house,” she said.
Foster said the library’s collection has also changed over time. While the physical collection is smaller than it once was, she said staff focus on quality, currency, variety and condition. That includes offering different viewpoints on controversial subjects, large-print books, dementia-friendly books, Wonderbooks for children and digital materials.
One of the library’s biggest challenges is funding. Foster said provincial core funding has remained unchanged for more than 30 years and now accounts for less than four per cent of library funding. About 90 per cent of the library’s budget comes from the town.
She said expectations are also changing, particularly as people move to Smiths Falls from larger centres and compare local services to libraries in places such as Ottawa, Toronto or Oakville.
The historic building also presents challenges, she said. While the Carnegie building is valued by the community, its three floors, columns, limited storage and lack of modern program space make service delivery difficult.
Council members had few questions following the presentation. Coun. Dawn Quinn praised library staff for helping her find Tai Chi walking resources, while Coun. Jay Brennan asked about a possible Mahjong program.
Coun. Peter McKenna asked how the library plans to stay valuable as the community grows and expectations change.
Foster said the collection can continue to be adjusted, but storage and programming space remain major limitations. She said there appears to be more appetite for exploring other options for the library in the future, though any major change would likely be many years away.
Foster said the library remains a universal service, open to people of all ages and interests.
“You can stay there all day,” she said, as long as visitors follow the library’s code of conduct.
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