Independence of Library Boards At Risk
Implications of the Funding Crunch
With more and more of a Library's operating and capital budgets being financed directly through municipal grants, sometimes in excess of 90% of the budget, what are the implications for the independence of the Library Board?
In the past, before the provincial per capita funding formula was frozen, there was a sufficient percentage of a Library's budget funded by the provincial government that allowed the Boards to have a measure of independence from the municipal funders, and compelling reasons to ensure adherence to the Provincial Libraries Act. Basic principles including no user fees for access to resources and intellectual freedoms, and various service level standards and accreditation programs were requisites in order to receive the provincial grant.
Now, with the large majority of a Library's funding coming from the Municipalities, stretched budgets and competition for infrastructure, some Boards are experiencing attempts to align Library services to those provided by municipalities. With these attempts, come a closer integration of town and Library staff, a blurring of financial control, a push for user fees/cost recovery and more. Ultimately, the lesser the amount of provincial funding, the less incentive to ensure that provincial policies and standards are prioritized. There is simply not enough money at stake to lose, if a Municipality decided to "opt out" of the provincial Libaries act.
Now, I'm not saying that is what is in the works, but the trend is there, and should be an issue of concern. The provincial government must back up their commitment to free, public libraries, by providing adequate funding to ensure there are compelling benefits of complying with standards.
Library Boards, in the meantime, face a steep challenge - that of finding and generating revenues separate from the municipal grants, in order to preserve their independence. Whether through a separate Friends group or a very active fundraising organizations, Libraries must be creative in finding new ways of managing. So, when a town or city council demand reduced hours or decreased resource budgets in order to achieve cost savings, a Library Board has other funding options to protect the public.


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