Funding loss could threaten safekeeping of archival material

When a wise person dies, it’s like an entire library dies too.

And when a library closes, Heather Jones says everybody’s stories go with it.

Jones is a member of the Victoria Genealogical Society, the most recent casualty of the provincial government’s gaming cuts. The society helps people understand B.C.’s social history through book, microfilm and electronic resources at its library in Vic West.

“The history of families is basically the history of the culture ... because British Columbia is made up of people, and it’s their history that they bring to B.C. at the present time to make it a vibrant society,” said Jones.

The 31-year-old non-profit society, one of a number of such groups in B.C. losing its government funding, recently found out its $17,000 grant will not be renewed next year.

The trouble is, the society is locked into a three-year lease. It has relied on lottery revenues to pay rent for years. Society members say the social penalties could be vast.

“If you don’t understand where you come from, there’s much less you can bring to the society in general ... (and) If we actually had to dispose of the library it would be a huge loss because some of our resources are quite unique and not found elsewhere,” Jones said.

The grant covered the society’s $1,400 monthly rent, with a little left over for books at the end of the year.

Without the money, the society has no place to store materials, some dating back to the 1800s.

Society president Michael Kellogg said the precious materials “are not like something you could put in someone’s basement.”

But library director Pat Acton said the cut could be a blessing in disguise.

“We think losing this government funding could be just what we need to make us get us out and be creative and tell people that we’re here,” she said.

Society members and Victoria Coun. Pam Madoff kicked off the campaign to save the library on Monday.

lweighton@vicnews.com