WHEREAS the provincial government of British Columbia has stated that one of its Five Great Goals is to make BC the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent; AND WHEREAS the provincial government recognized that libraries are central to that objective by developing and implementing the Libraries Without Walls strategic plan, which allowed libraries to significantly improve and provide services such as the BC OneCard system, Books for Babies, a virtual reference service, and a provincial suite of online databases; AND WHEREAS last years funding cutbacks resulted in the loss of some of these programs and reduction in services for others, and additional cutbacks will mean a further reduction of programs and services: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities request that the provincial government maintain existing funding levels in 2010 for BC public libraries and reading centres, and further, that funding for BC libraries and reading centres be restored to the levels that were achieved as part of the strategic plan prior to 2009.
Ministry of Education Funding for the public library sector is maintained at nearly 14 million for 2010. This is 60 percent more funding than in 2001. We have protected core operating grants despite the global economic downturn, and we are working to enhance shared infrastructure. Five years ago, the Province invested 12 million to implement the public library strategic plan Libraries Without Walls. Flowing from this plan, the Province and public libraries have launched several province-wide initiatives that have generated substantial economies of scale, enhanced the stability of libraries and improved organizational infrastructure. The powerful synergies of these partnerships and shared strategic priorities are netting tremendous benefits and laying the groundwork for future investment. As a result, libraries are in a much stronger position today, offering more services and dynamic collections than ever before. Given todays fiscal realities, we cannot invest in business as usual. Instead, we must explore all opportunities to maximize investment in strategic partnerships, leveraging existing capacities for greater shared benefits. For maximum effectiveness, therefore, provincial funding is targeted to collaborative literacy and technology equity initiatives aimed at improving services, reducing costs and increasing access.