Re: 鈥淟ibrary workers vote in favour of strike as 鈥榣ast resort,鈥� 鈥� Nov. 6.
The labour dispute at Greater Victoria Public Library, which might result in our libraries temporarily closing, should be resolved by defining libraries as an essential service and therefore making them subject to compulsory arbitration.
Libraries are an important free public space in Victoria, not just for the traditional books, but for all the varied services they provide. For example, the several dozens of computers are in almost constant use, presumably by users who don鈥檛 have their own. In today鈥檚 society, internet access is essential.
As a volunteer who delivers library materials to shut-ins, I know how much these people depend on the library service for their quality of life. I call upon the newly elected mayors and councils to demonstrate leadership on this important issue.
Kenneth Mintz
Victoria
