Whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by local governments, and the Provinces 14 million in core funding for BCs 71 library systems has not increased since 2010, even as both the population and inflation have grown dramatically over the years; And whereas libraries continue to shoulder growing expectations without the necessary provincial support and libraries have taken on an ever-expanding role in advancing provincial objectives for community well-being: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM call on the provincial government to immediately increase the annual core funding for public libraries to 30 million, and to index that amount to cost-of-living and inflationary pressures in future years, as recommended by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and repeatedly requested by the BC Public Library Partners; And be it further resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government to establish both a dedicated capital funding program to assist local governments in upgrading, expanding, and constructing library facilities, and 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.
