WHEREAS the libraries in British Columbia are important to the quality of life, lifelong learning and social fabric of the communities throughout the province of British Columbia; AND WHEREAS the Ministry of Educations decision to subsume the provincial library budget line item into the overall education budget makes the assurance of future library funding more tenuous: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM strongly advocate that the provincial government specifically recognize the broader mandate of libraries in British Columbia and reinstate the line item for library funding in the provincial budget.
Ministry of Education First and most importantly, provincial funding to BC public libraries remains stable. Budget 2012 included 42 million for this purpose over the Provinces next three fiscal years. This means that libraries, federations and associations will receive their operating and targeted grants of 14 million in each of their fiscal years over this period calendar years. Representation of public libraries on a separate line-item in the Ministry of Education operating expense estimates was a holdover from the past, when public libraries were affiliated with a different ministry. Public library funding is now included in the education programs budget line that emphasizes and recognizes the important role public libraries play in supporting lifelong learning all across the Province. This change reflects the reality that public libraries are an essential part of Ministry operations and key to the transformation of education throughout the Province. To further establish the Provinces commitment to public libraries our 201213-201415 Ministry of Education Service Plan prominently features public libraries as an integral element of the Ministrys work, and how public libraries contribute to the BC Education Plan.