Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Richmond Public Library’s head librarian Greg Buss continued their year-long back-and-forth related to budget cuts to the library system, at a committee meeting last week.
The discussion continued as the mayor and councillors were informed of widespread complaints — mostly from seniors and families — that followed library opening hours being cut 26 hours across the Cambie, Steveston and Ironwood branches.
Buss provided city council with a new report on services the library is asking to be implemented or restored, following a $200,000 cut to its budget last year.
At the top of the list is restoring the branch hours, which were reduced in February with council’s approval. But Brodie continued to question Buss as to why he is still allowing library members to take out up to 30 items at one time.
Buss’ report states that the majority of members have five or fewer items out at one time. It says members aren’t borrowing more than they can “practically consume.”
“Why not limit them to five, or even 10?” asked Brodie.
“The last thing a library should be doing is limiting the amount of books someone can borrow,” said Buss.
“Yes, but there is a cost to that. Are we using our money wisely?” asked Brodie, who continued to drill down on the library’s increased expenditures.
Buss explained more money has been required over recent years to keep the paperback collections up to demand while at the same time building a digital collection.
“If you don’t have the collections, then maybe we should just close the doors,” said Buss.
Councillors accepted Buss’ report as information.The report addresses what a $1 per capita ($218,000) budget increase would do for the library. The proposition came this July from Coun. Bill McNulty, who voted against the initial cuts, along with Coun. Linda McPhail.
Buss notes the library needs $200,000 to restore the hours. It needs another $400,000 for expanded services for children and seniors.The total property tax impact of the extra $600,000 would be 0.3 per cent. The requests will go to city council for consideration this December, when it passes its budget.
The report suggests Richmond is receiving good value for library services compared to regional municipal libraries; lots of people are using the library while the City of Richmond’s contributions are well below average. For instance, the city allocates $43.55 per citizen for its libraries ($8.75 million), whereas the regional average for municipal funding is $57.71. And yet, while Richmond provides less public library space than any other municipality, total visits (in person and online) is nearly the highest in the region.
Buss said Richmond Public Library is providing the full range of services outlined by the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto.
He noted public feedback over reduced access to services has created a “significant barrier” for library members, in particular families and seniors.
