Briefs: SDG Library eliminates fines for overdue items

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The SDG Library has been exempted from fines for overdue items borrowed by SDG residents from its collection.

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The library board approved the change in June, which means that any SDG library patrons with outstanding fines on their account had it removed on June 25, and further overdue items in the library’s collection will not accrue fines. Outstanding fines in 2018-23 only represented revenue equal to one percent of SDG’s library budget, and the cost to the library to recover and collect fines is often greater than the fine itself.

The hope is that removing overdue fines will encourage more people to use the SDG Library and borrow materials from its collection. The library will continue to send email and phone reminders to patrons with overdue items.

The decision does not apply to outstanding fines for materials from other libraries borrowed through the SDG Library (interlibrary loans). Fees charged by the SDG Library for lost and damaged items also remain in effect.

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The decision extends one made in 2022, when outstanding fines were removed from all SDG Library children’s materials.

Grants received

Two Cornwall senior organizations are receiving a total of $50,000 to support programs that help older adults stay active and socially connected.

Seniors and Accessibility Minister Raymond Cho announced details of the 282 community projects in the province that are being supported through the Seniors Community Grants Program on June 26. A total of $6 million is being distributed, with a maximum grant per organization of $25,000. These grants cover the province’s 2024-2025 fiscal year.

The two local grants included in the announcement were:

• $25,000 to l’Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario – Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry (ACFO-SDG), to provide 22 personalized coaching sessions on the art of woodcarving for 80 Francophones.
• $25,000 to the Charles-Émile Claude Center to provide stained glass workshops for 40 Francophones.

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Raffle for Habitat

Habitat for Humanity Cornwall and the Counties has launched a fundraising raffle that includes a prize package anchored by an 8-by-12-foot shed.

This is the second year the Grateful Shed Raffle has been held, with proceeds supporting the ongoing Habitat build in Ingleside – this is a busy year for the organization, having already handed over the keys to two families in Maxville earlier this year. The prize pack is valued at over $7,800 and contains approximately a dozen items donated by Cornwall and SDG merchants.

The package includes the aforementioned shed donated by Old Hickory Sheds and transported to the ReStore in Cornwall by 5th Line Transportation, a grill donated by The Brick, a $200 gift card from Cardinal and Son Wholesale; a trio of CAT tools donated by Fines Home Hardware; a propane tank and BBQ tools donated by P38 Energy, a bistro set and pizza oven donated by Cornwall BMR, a cooler and Yeti donated by Peavey Mart in Cornwall, outdoor decor and a gift card from Marlin Orchards and Garden Centers and outdoor games and equipment from ReStore.

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Tickets are $10 each and are available at the Cornwall ReStore, 1400 Vincent Massey Dr., and by calling 613-938-0413 ext. 204. Tickets will also be sold at community events this summer. The draw will take place at the ReStore on September 30 at 3:00 p.m

Budget approval

KEMPTVILLE — Eastern Ontario Catholic District School Board trustees approved their 2024-25 budget at their June 18 meeting.

Information released by the board showed approval of an operating budget of $222.6 million, with a capital budget of $9.2 million. The budget includes a shortfall of $575,845, primarily due to the costs of implementing new HR, finance and payroll software. This amount will be covered using surplus funds set aside in previous years’ budgets to support this cost.

School boards are allowed to run operating budget deficits during the year up to a certain percentage of their total budget, as long as the amount can be covered by accumulated surpluses held in reserve.

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