More than $338K leftover from Essex County Library Strike to be used for branch upgrades

A total of $338,360 saved during an almost eight-monthstrike by Essex County Library staff will be used for upgrades at branches across the area.

• Essex County Library strike ends, but tension with employer continues

More than $790,000 was socked away during the work stoppage, with County Council ruling it would best be used to serve the library system.

During a meeting Wednesday, council unanimously voted to use the funds for the following projects:

• $92,396 to the Town of Amherstburgfor repairs at the library on Sandwich Street South
• $75,013 to the Town of Essex for roofing, canopy and HVAC unit replacements at the library on Gosfield Townline
• $40,000 to the Town of Kingsvillefor accessibility improvements at the library on Main Street West and to install windows and doors at the Ruthven Branch on Elgin Street
• $32,000 to the Town of Lakeshore to install cement walkways at the Toledo Branch on Renaud Line and Stoney Point Branch on Tecumseh Road
• $98,951 to the Municipality of Leamingtonfor a 2018 renovation project at the library on John Street

"Accessibility improvements for the Kingsville branch [will] allow for easier movement for patrons at the facility," explained mayor Nelson Santos."In Ruthven the long-anticipated update for windows and doors is positive aswell ... [it's] nice to see investment going back into our community branches."