The Renfrew Public Library (RPL) is a service rich with reference material and is also a safe community space for locals to flip to the next chapter.
Recently its services have been highlighted at a council meeting earlier this month by the acting chief administrative officer and director of development & environment, Eric Withers.
That figure is referring to final-quarter statistics from last year.
RPL’s chief librarian and acting CEO, Maggie Murdock, wanted to clarify those numbers are not represented by unique individuals entering the library, rather it’s the number of of times people have entered and exited the library within Q4 2025.
Although Murdock and the RPL team are quite happy with last year’s figures, they continue to work on ways to keep serving the community.
Murdock said there has been a recent uptick in e-resources being utilized.
According to the 2021 census, seniors in Renfrew make up a larger portion of the local population compared to the national average.
Individuals 65 and over living in Renfrew made up 32.1 per cent of the local population in the report, with that age group making up 19 per cent of the Canada’s overall population.
Murdock said the younger generations aren’t as keen on physical media compared to seniors and middle-aged adults.
Ensuring today’s youth understands the importance of the library is important for its future success.
RPL also allows Horton residents to utilize its services and if locals are unable to cross the highway to attend children’s programs for example, Jana Tamosetis is on the case.
Though the library will also welcome Horton residence in-town if need be.
Murdock said having an established presence in Horton is also important for RPL’s future.
The library also wants locals to register for a library card.
The current system removes patrons who have not used their library card for more than three years, and Murdock said the benefits are just too good to pass up.
Apart from books and film, RPL also offers its members genealogy data through Ancestry, astronomy kits, museum passes and Ontario Parks passes.
RPL recently acquired passes from the Toronto Zoo as well.
Another service the library provides is mobile internet; the library can lend out mobile hotspots for residents who don’t have access to high-speed internet at home.
As long as the library continues to see the locals utilize this services, they will be here to stay.
According to data based off library metrics, their services have reached around 4,000 individuals in an estimated population of 8,500.
Residents can support RPL and its services by signing up for a library card or contributing to the upcoming Jail and Bail.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
