Margaret Atwood famously said that “a word after a word after a word is power.”
Now she is among the more than 100 writers, musicians, educators, and artists who are hopeful the words in an open letter will have some power in fighting against the proposed cuts to three librarian positions at the Peterborough Public Library.
Written and release by Our Future Peterborough, a grassroots advocacy group founded by Peterborough residents Sheetal Rawal, Hilary Evans, and Laurel Harris, the letter is a response to the library staffing reorganization that was approved by Peterborough city council as part of the city’s 2025 budget.
“There’s a reason so many esteemed writers and artists signed this letter,” said Rawal in a media release. “They remember the librarians who saw them and encouraged them. They understand what’s at stake, and they’re standing with us to say: this matters.”
During budget deliberations, councillors approved the elimination of two positions and the reclassification of some positions as lower-paid positions to save $120,000 of the city’s $411 million operating budget.
In reaction to the decision, library management subsequently decided to lay off three of the library’s four full-time unionized librarians, including a children’s librarian, the adult and teen programming librarian, and the librarian who manages the library’s information systems. Two positions (an outreach coordinator and a programming assistant) would be created, resulting in a net reduction of one position.
“We are children’s authors, illustrators, and performers who value the irreplaceable work done by children’s librarians to nurture early literacy and foster a love of reading in the youngest members of our society,” reads the open letter, which is addressed to city council and and the Peterborough Public Library Board. “We are also writers and artists for adults whose love of words began in childhood, at the library. We understand how essential literacy development, supporting creativity, and encouraging reading is for children and for the societies in which they grow up.”
“Children’s librarians are specialized professionals who empower children and ensure equitable access to resources for all,” the letter continues. “They support communities through education and family literacy. They help children discover books that reflect their identities, foster a sense of belonging, and expand their horizons. They highlight local, Canadian, and Indigenous authors, which is especially important at this historical juncture. Through stories and song, librarians build worlds where all kids can learn, play, and grow.”
Joining Atwood in signing the letter are prominent literary figures Elizabeth Hay, Drew Hayden Taylor, Madeleine Thein, Mai Nguyen, and children’s authors and illustrators Lois Lowry, Gordon Korman, Barbara Reid, Cory Doctorow, Julie Flett, and Debbie Ridpath Ohi.
Other notable signatories include poet Lorna Crozier, musician Neil Young, actor Daryl Hannah, former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, musician Sarah Harmer, and Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison of the children’s music group Sharon, Lois & Bram.
Several of the signatories also provided comments that were shared in the media release from Our Future Peterborough.
“Children’s librarians have the skills needed to introduce the best books to children in ways that help ensure they become life-long readers,” said signatory Kathy Stinson, author of children’s classic Red is Best. “If you say yes to the proposal to cut the children’s librarian… the cost to your community, and I dare say to society as a whole, will far exceed any benefit you will see in your budget’s bottom line.”
Fred Penner, the Juno award-winning children’s entertainer and member of the Order of Canada, said, “When children are born into this world we have an opportunity to nurture them in every way possible so that they can live up to their potential as caring and contributing adults.”
Notable locals who have signed the open letter include author and performer Kate Story, actor and children’s drama educator Linda Kash, author Ann Douglas, drag storyteller Betty Baker, and author Andrew Forbes.
“As a primary caregiver, the library’s children’s programming was essential to my kids’ development (and my emotional wellbeing),” said Forbes in the media release. “All three kids remain avid readers and regular library users. It baffles and terrifies me that the city would consider these cuts.”
“In my view, exploring books as a child and particularly being read to is one of the most loving and generous things adults can offer to our children,” added Kash. “Librarians take the time to open the portals of imagination. They are essential to the village.”
Our Future Peterborough was launched earlier this year to protect a range of public services in the community as threats arise, though co-founder Laurel Harris previously told kawarthaNOW that the cuts to the library were the “spark” that fuelled the organization.
Prior to its founding, members of the advocacy group launched a petition fighting against the cuts that has now garnered more than 2,300 signatures.
“This is a local issue, but it’s also part of a wider trend,” said Harris in the release. “Across Ontario and Canada, we’re seeing public services quietly cut back. These decisions often happen without meaningful public consultation, but they come at a high cost to our communities and to future generations.”
The open letter urges the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Public Library board to “reverse course” and “ensure these librarian positions remain in place so that the literacy, creativity, and joy of the children of Peterborough can continue to be cultivated.”
“We hope this letter brings wider attention to what’s happening in Peterborough right now,” said Evans in the release. “Our city council needs to know that these decisions aren’t going unnoticed, and that they won’t happen without backlash.”
To read the open letter and see all the signatories, visit ourfutureptbo.org/open-letter.
