Whereas libraries are a social justice equalizer that provide universal access to information and learning materials irrespective of income levels; And whereas restoring funding to libraries supports the BC Governments agenda to eliminate poverty and address social justice in BC; And whereas funding rates have been frozen since 2009 and inflationary costs have increasingly been put on municipal property tax payers which is a regressive approach to funding public libraries; And whereas libraries now provide a huge diversity of services and resources beyond books, requiring additional funding to be innovative and relevant; And whereas a progressive form of financing for public libraries is needed: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM be requested to advocate for the restoration of library funding to a level that reflects both inflationary cost increases since 2009 and the value of the system to the Province.
Year
2019
Number
C27
Sponsor(s)
Oak Bay
Convention Decision
Not Admitted for Debate