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he Waterloo public I library is dreaming of the future, hoping I0 become one of the best. Tim Jackson, chair of the local library board, said he hopes the Waterloo library will become an institution other municipalities will aspire to become. "We believe we are enec. thw civic institution," lack. srm said, citing the mum than 1.200 pvtrplc who pass through librarv doors each day Brendan Kavanaugh tries to dodge one of the many pairs of socks flying his way, Friday at Winston Churchill public school in Waterloo. WPL seeks 7.9 per cent budget increase a; Increase would raise funding per capita to $28.31 WLVO in M W: [BORING ftht it NEW WWO? BY Tm MURPHY For The Chronicle B-K VOLVO 8855091 The library's long-term plan is lo became a lop- ranked mid-sized library system by 2007. Jackson asked council last week to consider a request to increase the library"s budget by 7.9 per cent, "We think over a several, year period that we would like In gel Waterloo to the point it is funding library services to $30 per capita," Iarksnn said. That would raise funding to $28.31 per capita from $26.30 per capita -- an increase of $226,804. Hc said $30 per capita is lower than othvr municipal- “in in the area, hut said it is the right tale for the City of Waterloo. "VVI' don't "link we need In ire at 1hr sam" per capita T CW "iNTirll,/fi' Court, Ian McLean said he thinks the provincial gov- ernment needs to be pushed to provide more funding In library systems. levels of Cambridge or Kitchener. " he said. Ilc said there are man- regulations and demands placed on the library. but no man‘ rash coming in. "It strikes mc that the library has been asked In do "It is very clear to us the library is well- loved by our community. " 7- Tim Jackson WTI. hoard (hair BOG iRBANAC wc'a more. but they're not fund- ed by the provincial govem- ment." he said. lackson said he would like tn reduce reliance on the city. He hopes the facility will eventually become self reliant. last year was also a time of growth for the library, with borrowing levels exceeding 2016 benchmark plans. "Waterloo is not unique in this." In 2004. seven of 10 members were new to the hoard. and Jackson said 1hey're committed to mov- ing the library forward. Over one million items were borrowed by the tnm~ munity, a 32 per cent increase over the pasl three years. Winston Churchill students seek it to homeless problem rtssed in safely gag- Dglcs and a baseball catcher s Htest pru- ln-clur. Brendan kavanatogh wasn't taking any chance, last Friday. The "Sock it (0 Me Dude". (LL21. kavanaugh. wax going m be the students' number- nnc target after getting his small Waterloo school to host a fundraiser in 'iupport of the local Out of thc Cold shelter program- Though. he did look a lit tk silly. lhe students at Winston C.hurchill public school were only going to throw socks al the school's head custodian. But the number ol socks was in qursiion. never mind the smell. Kavanaugh. who has been a volunteer for the last four years with Out of the Cold. which provides emer- gency shelter and food for the homeless at local churches during the winter. said the group's plight has really made an impression on him. He's gotten to know the people who come in out of "We're more than a By Bun Vmw t hron" h. "ustl) decade ahead of schedule," Jackson said, The library has also developed reciprocal bor- rowing agreements with Cambridge, the Region of Waterloo and the City of Hamilton public libraries. He said the summer reading club saw a 46 per cent increase in attendance, with an 86 per cent increase In the number of books read. [he told every “may night an First United Church on William Suva. and though! alrout simple ways he could help. "Some bf the things I am most proud of deal with the children." Jackson said. The Books to Grow pro- gram. an outreach program for kids at risk. is also active within the library, with funding from the Kiwanis Club of KitcherterAVatedoo, rhat's when he approached his school “Immunity with thc idea of raising socks for the home- less. "It is very clear to us the library is well loved by our community" Jackson said. "lie seen what the homeless go through." said Kavatraugh, “I just wanted to know if there was some- thing I could do in my work- place." Hr got a great rusponw lmm sum and students who spent the past week collect, ing new or Clean adult-sized socks that could be distritr med to the homeless. "We wanted a sense of community and rumpas» sion instilled In the kids." said Kavanaugh. "We also wanted lo have a lime fun." After all the socks were collected. with the school of 2l5 students bringing in more than 300 pairs. the students who really took the fundraiser to heart were given a chance to have a " tle fun. "II just snowtalled." said night. has been ovirrtldwing Kavanaugh. "Collecting 302 pairs of Continucdou pay 4 home mum socks wen- brought In and hailed up ay groups ol slum-ms formed two lines in thc school N gymnasium. N the u-ntrv of the hung hm- were Kavanaugh and hm col. leagues. all dressed In colourful outfits l0 make sure thet made preseruable larynx. socks for a small school likt. the, IN just awrmmu’ "That N was quite the workout. let me tell you." laughed Kavanaugh. all” he and fellow staff members played dodge the socks “I'll have a fvss sock brusscs Inmorrow out On hand for the display of the flying footwear was the organizer of the First United Out of the Cold pro- gram. Mike Savage. He spoke about how important the simple domr tion of socks were lo the guests of his program. "I use 25 to 35 pairs a week." said Savage. whose program. which has room for more than 50 people a night. has been overflowing "l'll lime to get the my