Opposition to provincial library-funding cutbacks is moving forward.
A resolution from the Vancouver Island Regional Library board was passed unanimously by members of the B.C. Library Trustees Association.
The resolution concerning the disappearance of designated public library funding in the 2012-13 provincial budget was accepted into the voting package for September’s convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.
“While the government has provided verbal assurances that funds will be allocated to the public library sector over the next three fiscal years, these assurances are not supported by legislation and are not articulated in any budget document,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, VIRL board chairwoman, in a press release. “This absorption of library funding into the overall Education Programs budget is a concern for public library users, supporters and leaders.”
The VIRL board is asking all library trustees in B.C. to inform and educate members of their local governments and regional districts about this resolution, said Leonard.
The VIRL is the fourth-largest library system in B.C., serving more than 417,000 people on Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and Bella Coola on the central coast through 38 branch libraries, a virtual branch, and a books by mail service. Administrative offices are located in Nanaimo.