WHEREAS public library services are crucial in fostering life long learning for all, are especially important in difficult economic times, and the Minister of Education has announced a legislative review of the Library Act which is intended to encourage the extension and use of public library service throughout British Columbia; AND WHEREAS the Act mandates free resident access to most public library services with a citizen governance board for municipal libraries while also providing for appropriate City Council influence and control: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities urge the Minister to maintain the core principles of free access to public library service and citizen governance for municipal public libraries as mandated in the Library Act.
Ministry of Education Phase 1 of a seven-phase legislative review began in September 2008, with an invitation to stakeholders to submit briefs on the specific issues or approaches they would like to see addressed during the legislative review. All briefs were received by early March 2009. Section 46 of the Library Act enshrines free basic public library service for all British Columbians; notably, briefs submitted to-date in Phase 1 of the review have declared overwhelming support for this principle. Five different library governance models are enshrined in the Library Act; briefs received indicate strong support for continued citizen representation on autonomous Municipal public library boards. We appreciate UBCMs endorsement of these principles and do not foresee any issues with their incorporation into redrafted legislation.