Restoring Provincial Library Funding

Whereas Public libraries require continuous and increasing investment to provide opportunities for life-long learning, increase equity and social inclusion, and create cities that are healthier and more affordable; And whereas provincial funding for public libraries has declined in the past decade as a portion of total revenue allocated to individual BC library systems, from 7 to 4.6, while the municipal portion has risen from 72 to 80; And whereas this decline in provincial funding reflects a regressive approach of shifting cost to municipal property tax payers: Therefore be it resolved that the BC Government increase library funding to a minimum of 20 million annually to reflect inflationary and population increases and recommit to a progressive funding approach, reflecting the role of public libraries in achieving the goals of the Province and our communities; And be it further resolved this motion be forwarded to UBCM, asking that UBCM strongly advocate that the BC Government increase library funding to a minimum of 20 million annually to reflect inflationary and population increases and recommit to a progressive funding approach, reflecting the role of public libraries in achieving the goals of the Province and our communities.