Libraries to Make Cuts to Fit Reduced Provincial Funding

Thursday, August 27, 2009 03:51 AM

Prince George, B.C. - The Prince George Library is now taking a look at what cuts will have to be made in the wake of the news provincial funding is being reduced by 22%.

Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid has announced the funding for libraries throughout the province this year will be $13.7 million, down from last year’s amount of $17 million.

For Prince George, that 22% cut means a loss of nearly $46 thousand. The news of the reduction comes so late in the budget year, that it won’t be easy to find places to do the trimming.

The City’s Chief Librarian appeared before City Council just a couple of weeks ago asking that the Mayor and Council write the provincial government and request that funding be delivered and that it be held to current levels. At that time, there was a concern libraries weren’t going to get any money at all from the province.

Numerous communities joined the call for the province to hold funding at current levels and to deliver those dollars as soon as possible.

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Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2009 03:51 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Vdesign on August 27 2009 7:15 AM

It is really sad that the government would choose to reduce funding by such a great amount to libraries, especially with such short notice.

I understand with the current economic situation and lower tax income the province is pushed to cut costs, but I don't think facilities such as this should have to bear the cost.

Perhaps the Olympic village could survive with less frills and expensive detailing, and take on a more utilitarian appearance. It would also probably cut down in the long term maintenance of the structures.

Posted by: Wolfie on August 27 2009 7:56 AM

"Libraries to Make Cuts to Cover Olympic Overruns"

Fixed.

Posted by: gus on August 27 2009 8:39 AM

"Libraries to Make Cuts to Cover Health Care Overruns"
Fixed

"Libraries to Make Cuts to Cover Mountain Pine Beetle Loss of Opportunity"
Fixed

"Libraries to Make Cuts to Cover Multiple Impact of Loss of USA Lumber Market Revenue"
Fixed

"Libraries to Make Cuts to Cover Downturn in the World Economy and its Impact on the Economy of BC."
Fixed

Posted by: gus on August 27 2009 8:42 AM

Oh, and maybe most important of all:

"Libraries to make cuts to gradually move the costs of their operations back into the hands of the municiplity."

Posted by: Palopu on August 27 2009 2:44 PM

The cuts to the library will not be noticed by the average person who uses the Library. After all at the end of the day it provides a service of lending out books. How complicated can that be.???? Throw in a couple of computers, and a few easy chairs and walla, your in business.

I have no use for the Liberals, however cuts have to be made, as we are over taxed and can no longer afford **frills**

Posted by: Loki on August 27 2009 4:25 PM

Dude, if you believe that a library resource is a "frill", you really need to go back to school.

Libraries and schools should never be the first to be cut. They really should be trimming the fat in government services like all those time wasters in most public service offices. Not to mention the minister's staff. We are way to top heavy in our government and have been for decades.

They should start the trimming right in the Premier's office and work down from there. Instead they take the low road by cutting basic needs like education and health.

Posted by: Palopu on August 27 2009 6:45 PM

Dudess. I agree that the cutting should start at the top and work down. However once they get to the bottom then they should whack the Library the same as all the rest.

Every Government entity in this Province has been padding their budgets for years , and hiring people for pseudo jobs. Its time that we get a reality check, and only provide necessary services at a realistic cost.

If you think that the Library, or the Art Centre, or City Hall have no frills, then you really need to go back to school.

Posted by: supertech on August 27 2009 9:19 PM

Do we need a library in todays high tech world? Just a thought. I finished with UBC in 1974 and the library was priceless to me. But now??? I can get all the info I need on the net. I just pay more.