Whereas core funding for public libraries in British Columbia has remained unchanged since 2009, limiting their ability to expand and evolve their programming as demand for their services increases; And whereas the operational requirements of public libraries increasingly require significant and diverse resources to provide front-line community services, including supporting patrons with mental health and addiction issues as well as barriers to housing, providing critical locations of refuge during extreme weather events, providing services to new Canadians, and supporting the process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to recognize the evolving and challenging situation for public libraries as well as their unique role as community spaces by establishing an Advisory Body per section 521 of the Library Act, the objectives of which will be to: 1. Undertake a review of core annual provincial funding of public libraries in the Canadian context; 2. Make recommendations to the Minister with respect to core, sustainable funding approaches for BCs public library sector.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The ministry appreciates the desire to discuss in a roundtable fashion the ways in which the roles and contexts are changing for public libraries, and to engage with all funders on the resultant resourcing needs. While government is not prepared to establish an Advisory Body under the Library Act as requested at this time, a review could be effectively achieved through existing partnerships with library and local government sector stakeholders. The ministry values the contributions of local governments and library partners, acknowledging their critical role in library support, and that experiences, complexities, and needs of communities and their libraries vary across the province. The ministry will continue to engage in dialogue with the library and local government stakeholders on sustainable funding, focusing on modern, responsive solutions aligned with provincial objectives.