Whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by local governments, the provincial governments financial contribution is also critical to ongoing library operations and the Provinces 14 Million in core funding for BCs 71 library systems has not increased since 2021, even as the population has grown by nearly 30 percent and inflation by more than 35 percent and libraries continue to shoulder growing expectations without the necessary provincial support; And whereas libraries have taken on an ever-expanding role in advancing provincial objectives for community well-being: helping job seekers and small businesses, providing safe spaces during emergencies and extreme weather, supporting residents facing mental health, substance use, and housing challenges, and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to: a. immediately increase the annual core funding for public libraries to 30 million, and b. index that amount to cost-of-living and inflationary pressures in future years, both recommended by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and repeatedly requested by the BC Public Library Partners, and c. establish both: i. a dedicated capital funding program to assist local governments in upgrading expanding, and constructing library facilities, and ii. an advisory body under Section 521 of the Library Act to review the provincial library funding model in consultation with local governments and First Nations.
