Despite having microfilm collections, none of the libraries in the Region of Waterloo’s townships have the necessary machine readers to access these materials.
At the Region’s Library Committee meeting, held on August 14th, library staff sought to remedy this issue when they asked the Committee for approval to purchase at least one reader using the remaining balance of the Taylor bequest.
In 2013, Thomas Taylor left the library more than $300,000 in his will to purchase and preserve books and other materials and make them available to the general public.
The Committee argued that the nature of bequests is to fund service enhancements, not essential equipment, and they refused the request. The Committee then called for a review of how bequest funds are used.
Microfilm readers will be requested in the 2025 capital budget, but any purchase must wait until next year. Meanwhile, there are still no microfilm readers at any of the Region of Waterloo township libraries.
