2024 R40 – Sustainable and Equitable Funding of Library Services

Whereas public libraries play a vital role in communities by providing access to resources, promoting literacy, supporting job seekers and small businesses, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and promoting equity and inclusion;

And whereas public libraries in British Columbia are primarily funded by levies paid by local governments, and provincial funding for libraries has remained stagnant; while the costs to deliver library services and the demand for library services have increased exponentially over time:

Therefore be it resolved that UBCM appeal to the Province of British Columbia to provide long-term sustainable funding for public libraries in BC;

And be it further resolved that the Province ensures that BC libraries receive regular increases to provincial government funding in subsequent years.