Whereas public libraries play a vital role in communities by providing access to resources, promoting literacy, supporting job seekers and small businesses, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and promoting equity and inclusion; And whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by levies paid by local governments, and provincial funding for libraries has remained stagnant; while the costs to deliver library services and the demand for library services have increased exponentially over time: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM appeal to the Province of British Columbia to provide long-term sustainable funding for public libraries in BC; And be it further resolved that the Province ensures that BC libraries receive regular increases to provincial government funding in subsequent years.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs acknowledges that local and regional libraries are important community services and spaces. While local governments are the primary funders of ongoing library operations, the Province has provided long-term supplemental funding to support the enhancement and extended reach of public libraries, under the direction of local and regional library boards. The Province also provides funding to library partners for shared information technology infrastructure, enabling libraries of all sizes to access essential services. In addition to annual grants for operational support, the Province has seized opportunities to provide targeted enhancement funding for priority areas, such as technology and accessibility improvements.