(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Milobar

LIBRARY FUNDING ADVOCACY

TNRD joins funding push for BC libraries

Aug 16, 2019 | 9:47 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Nicola Regional District is joining advocacy efforts for a funding boost for libraries around British Columbia.

Currently BC Libraries receives $14 million annually from the BC Government, and TNRD Chief Librarian Judy Moore says they want to increase that funding to $20 million.

“So a $6 million jump. And the reason for that is that public libraries haven’t seen any increases to provincial funding since 2010. Here in the TNRD we actually haven’t seen provincial increases since 2007,” she says. “So the Thompson Nicola Regional Library currently receives about $385,000 annually.”

Should the funding be approved, Moore says the money would be used for basic operating costs, which have swelled with inflation, and population growth.

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“Our stats show that we’re becoming increasingly popular in the hearts and minds of the people within the regional district.”

Given the consistency with use and the expansion of what digital services are offered, Moore says the money is needed to keep libraries growing and up to date.

“So the move is afoot to really band together in terms of this advocacy effort,” she explains. “Trustees from across the province are certainly pulling together in terms of calls to the MLAs, letters to the province, etc.”

Moore adds, TNRD representatives will also bring the matter to the Union of BC Municipalities Convention in the fall.