Library funding cut
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: August 26, 2009 11:52 AM
The B.C. government renewed funding for public libraries, but instead of a stamp of approval, libraries checked out with a 22 per cent funding cut.
Now, Greater Victoria Public Library is waiting to see how it will effect individual branches.
Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid announced $13.7 million in funding for B.C. public libraries, down from $17 million last year.
And while Lynne Jordon, GVPL deputy CEO said it’s too early to tell how staffing and operating hours will be affected, several provincially-funded programs will be cut.
Books for Babies, a program providing every newborn in B.C. with a book package will be cut, along with Ask Away and the Writers in Libraries program.
Last year, GVPL received $838,000 from the provincial government, six per cent of its total revenue, with the rest coming from municipal contributions, fines, grants and donations.
“We’re looking optimistically at the fact that we’ve been able to retain as much of the funding for public libraries as we have,” she said.
Over the next month, individual libraries will get more details on how their budgets will be affected.
lweighton@vicnews.com
v2
