On June 2nd and 3rd, the BC Public Library Partners (ABCPLD, BCLA, BC Libraries Coop, and BCLTA,) presented virtually to the BC Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, asking the province to permanently increase annual funding for public libraries to $30 million in 2027 and to commit to inflationary adjustments every year.
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is comprised of several MLAs who, as part of the annual Budget Consultation process, meet to listen to budget requests from British Columbians and to make recommendations to the Legislative Assembly based on what they’ve heard. The Committee includes members from the NDP and Conservative parties from communities throughout BC. While the Committee does not determine the final budget, having their endorsement is an important step toward achieving a permanent increase to provincial library funding.
Members of the Committee asked thoughtful questions about what the increase would mean for public libraries and the people they serve and expressed their understanding and appreciation for the impact public libraries have in communities throughout BC.
Hear our presentations and Committee member questions/comments:
- Transcript and recording of the June 2nd Committee session (BCLA is at the 3:28pm mark; ABCPLD is at the 7:23pm mark) HTML or Audio
- Transcript and recording of the June 3rd Committee session (BCLTA is at the 12:56pm mark ; BC Libraries Coop is at the 3:38pm mark) HTML or Audio
We look forward to sharing the Committee’s recommendations later this summer and are hopeful that they will endorse increasing annual provincial funding for public libraries to $30 million.