Thamesford checks out new library More than 200 show up for unveiling of rural 'success story' By Deirdre Healey - Staff Writer THAMESFORD - The community of Thamesford gave themselves an early Christmas present with the opening of the Thamesford Library and Resource Centre on Saturday. As the driving force behind the project, the residents of Thamesford managed to raise more than $245,000 for the badly needed replacement to their old library. "The community wanted to raise $245,000 and went over that goal in a matter of three months," said Bill Semeniuk, mayor of Zorra Township. "That is unheard of for a population of 2,000." More than 200 residents and dignitaries showed up for the grand opening, and only a few minutes after the ribbon was cut, four-year-old Elijah Mowat was already flipping through pages and asking his mom for her library card. "It is a vital part of the community," said Theresa Mowat. "I think it's a wonderful thing and I think the reason Thamesford is so great is because of community spirit like this." The rest of the building costs were picked up by the federal and provincial government, which donated close to $400,000 to the project. Oxford County pitched in the balance of the project's total cost of $1,660,171. "Done in partnership with the federal, provincial, county and township, this library shows how well things go when all four levels of government can reach an agreement," said county warden David Oliphant at the opening. Measuring four times the size of the old library, the resource centre has a library, two meeting rooms and an office for the OPP to offer extended services. "We really needed a new library because the other one was old and not accessible," said Ellen Wallace, chair of the fundraising committee. "We have the arena, but we wanted meeting rooms for smaller groups. Also, having the OPP here gives them a visible spot on the main street." The OPP office used to be on a side street, but now that it is more centrally located, Semeniuk said it will have more of an impact. "Businesses have said it will be a nice asset for here. Now when people drive through town they will see it's an active office." But what will really draw community members to the building will mainly be the library. With one of the top circulation numbers out of all the Oxford County branches, Don Woolcott, chair of the Oxford County Board, said rural libraries are a major part of rural communities. "They bring communities together," said Woolcott. "This is a true success story and we are going to use if for the rest of the county."

Originally Published in the Woodstock Sentinel Review on November 25 2002