SUPPORT FOR BC’S PUBLIC LIBRARIES (2022)

There are currently 71 public libraries across BC, serving rural communities as small as 400 and urban communities with 600,000+ people. Provincial funding for public library service funding has been frozen since 2010 ($14M). Alarmingly, BC libraries have not been eligible for federal pandemic support such as those provided by programs like CEWS, CERS, or CEBA. Additionally, BC public libraries face increasing and ongoing costs related to new safety measures and health compliance requirements.

The Chamber believes that as low-barrier social infrastructure, libraries promote belonging, inclusion, equity, and equality for those they serve. Libraries support traditional and technological literacy, and they represent a public face for continuous learning and continuing education. Public libraries are community partners in supporting economic development. Libraries are essential service providers, and often considered the ‘heart of their community’. Public libraries provide well-trained and compassionate staff, offering connection to essential social and government services in a safe, culturally appropriate environment without stigma. Built on a history of collaboration in BC communities, libraries advance collective progress on communications and connectivity, increase sectoral action on the climate crisis and accessibility, and promote meaningful reconciliation through information, cross-cultural learning, and social opportunities.

Government investment in public libraries is an investment in British Columbians. Increased funding, intended to help libraries successfully navigate pandemic recovery, serve their communities, and advance BC Government's priorities in making British Columbians’ lives better, safer, and more affordable, will lead to long term social and economic benefit for BC’s rural and urban centers.

Background

Serving over 29 million people every year and employing over 2260 FTE staff, British Columbia libraries are essential to their local communities and economies. Among the most compelling rationales for modern Public Libraries is the broad range of services they offer for all ages, supporting the needs of individuals, families, businesses, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, seniors, students, job seekers, small business owners, foreign workers and, indeed, those most vulnerable individuals living without housing and without sufficient means. Libraries deeply impact the entire population of BC.

Libraries play a pivotal role in supporting local businesses and communities

• Libraries are customers of local businesses, purchasing materials and services – everything from catering for events to office supplies, from facility cleaning to equipment and building repairs, and much more
• Libraries provide resources often used by businesses, particularly those that are small or starting up – everything from computer and Internet access, to space, to access to information and resources
• Libraries provide resources to support the continuing education and certification needs of community members, helping to create a qualified workforce for a variety of businesses
• Libraries partner with local businesses, service clubs and community groups to offer programs, raising their profile in the community and enhancing community collaboration
• Libraries provide opportunities for training and skill enhancement for employees. Particularly in the realm of technology, where it's challenging (and often expensive) to keep up with how to use the latest software, etc., libraries provide accessible resources to enable up-skilling at reduced cost to business owners.

In a survey conducted by the Association of the British Columbia Public Library Directors (ABCPLD), a head librarian commented, “During Covid we have seen an upswing in the need for support accessing government services. For example, border staff and other government agencies often direct people to the public library to help them with vaccine passports, arriveCAN, and other applications and forms. Provincial agency offices are often not located in rural communities, so residents often rely on the public library for assistance with provincial online services. With fewer staff and hours, we can’t keep up.”

Libraries foster reconciliation, accessibility, inclusion, and community building

The reality of COVID-19 has highlighted existing inequities in our communities among Indigenous, Black, and other racialized peoples, along with the disabled population and those already marginalized through economic or social circumstance. have been dis-proportionately affected. As spaces that are open to all and serve everyone, public libraries can exercise a leadership role in addressing systemic discrimination, particularly if library funding is sufficient to enable public libraries to train staff, buy collections and create programs that represent the true diversity of our communities.

Government’s espoused goal of ensuring library facilities are welcoming and accessible to all British Columbians aligns with their cross-Ministry priorities of Putting people first, Lasting and meaningful reconciliation and Equity & anti-racism.

In the same ABCPLD survey, a head librarian commented, “There is a growing need to provide better services to people with mental health and addiction issues. During the pandemic, this need became even more urgent. As some of the few reliably open public spaces during the pandemic, libraries serve and connect at-risk populations to information and services. To support these community members, we started a pilot project with a local university and a housing agency, where social work practicum students serve alongside outreach workers at the library to connect patrons with the support they need. After just a few sessions, staff already see the immense value this service is providing for some of our most vulnerable patrons. If the pilot project continues to be successful, we will need to source funding to make this type of service sustainable in the long-term and to expand to other locations.”

Libraries provide access to technology and work on closing the digital gap

Government reports demonstrate that the need of British Columbians to access digital information has skyrocketed since 2020. Existing library hardware in so many locations is aging, and digital collections cost 3-5 times that of print. Digital resources often come with time-limited access, requiring continued investment for ongoing access. With increased costs and demand, libraries struggle to keep up with community needs. With the increased use of digital materials, of course, there is a concomitant need for the services of technically competent information technology personnel. Increased funding is required, therefore, to enable libraries to purchase and maintain hardware and digital collections to ensure that all British Columbians can learn and succeed in the digital economy. These outcomes would be a good example of how the provincial government can demonstrate two important principles they have champions – ‘putting people first’ and creating a ‘strong & sustainable economy that works for everyone.’

Other impactful quotes from librarians, “Small rural libraries like mine rely on volunteers to fill service gaps that have grown wider as funding has not increased. Most of our volunteers are retirees who dedicate their time and energy to staffing the library and supporting their communities. With Covid being more dangerous to seniors, libraries have been forced to reduce service hours to avoid putting volunteers at risk.” And, “Now more than ever, having reliable IT support is critical to library operations. A local resident volunteers to keep our Library’s IT system functioning; they have recently retired from their paying job and may be leaving their volunteer position at the library soon. This role should be a paid position, and it will be virtually impossible to replace the volunteer when they leave. Without additional funding to support the position we don’t know where we will find the funds.”

Libraries ensure access to safe, healthy public spaces

The COVID-19 pandemic may be with us for some time, and with this reality, the requirements to ensure safe public spaces have changed. To support compliance with existing public health recommendations and better prepare for future emergencies, libraries need to adapt physical spaces to create safe, welcoming places for British Columbians. Increased funding will enable libraries to create or improve existing library spaces for programming use, transition from temporary to permanent barriers, and invest in furnishings that are easier to clean and sanitize. In addition, the pandemic has highlighted the need for ongoing, science-based health literacy work that supports government efforts to enhance health outcomes in a number of areas. Increased funding would enable libraries to hire additional staff to ensure safe, compliant, healthy libraries.

A final quote from the survey conducted by ABCPLD, “Before 2020 closures, we made do with three days of janitorial work per week. When we reopened in May 2020, we moved to daily cleaning (five days / week). With the additional costs of cleaning, Plexiglas, masks, sanitizer, we had to lay off a staff position in 2021 and have not been able to add this position back. Losing this position has meant that we have had to cut most public programming and reduce hours, translating to over 150 fewer service hours per year.”

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

That the Provincial Government:

1. Immediately increases funding to BC’s public libraries in the current fiscal year, particularly in recognition of the significant shortfalls experienced by BC public libraries with the 10-year freeze in library funding by the provincial government; and
2. Consistently allocate additional funds to BC’s public libraries in future provincial budgets, to ensure they are able to adapt to the changing needs of the public and how the costs of providing them have evolved over time.