Library Board Adopts 2010 Budget

Library Board Adopts 2010 Budget

Council Funding Restoration Keeps Libraries Open

For immediate release – December 21, 2009

(Vancouver, British Columbia) – Vancouver Public Library Trustees this evening voted to keep the Riley Park Branch open 35 hours per week and to maintain current hours at seven branches that serve the most-vulnerable populations as they balanced the Library’s 2010 Operating Budget.

Thanks to City Council’s $764,000 funding restoration last Friday, the Library Board avoided the complete closure of the Riley Park Branch, closing the Central Library on Thursday evenings and reduced hours at seven branches. Budget reductions will still be required at six branches and for Technical Services, Collections and Administration.

"This is excellent news for most Library users,” said Library Board Chair Joan Andersen. “City Council heard from people across the city who care deeply about their library and Council has recognized the vital role the Library plays in our community, particularly for members of vulnerable groups like homeless people and those facing economic and social challenges."

Council identified Britannia, Champlain, Collingwood, Fraserview, Hastings, Joe Fortes and South Hill as the branches that should not face reduced hours based on neighbourhood average income and the Early Development Instrument ranking which measures child development at school entry.

The budget reductions were necessary to address the impact of City of Vancouver budgetary pressures which resulted in a funding gap to the Library of $590,000 as well as a $220,000 reduction in provincial grants.

To meet the proposed 2010 Operating Budget allocation, the Library Board voted to reduce operating hours at the following branches:

• West Point Grey – nine hours per week
• Firehall – seven hours per week
• Marpole – seven hours per week
• Dunbar – six hours per week
• Kerrisdale – six hours per week
• Riley Park – five hours per week

Additionally the following budgets will be reduced:

• Technical Services by $360,000
• Collections by $180,000
• Administrative areas by $100,000

Library exempt staff, like those in all City departments, will receive a two percent salary increase on January 1 and an additional two percent on July 1 rather than four percent on January 1 as previously approved.

^{Founded in 1887, the Vancouver Public Library is one of Canada's largest library systems dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading, recreation and information needs of the people of Vancouver. Each year, the Library’s 22 branches serve over six million visitors and offer over 2.5 million items, including books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and countless online resources.}

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For more information, please contact: Debbie Schachter, Director, Technology & Collection Development, 604-375-8608; debbie.schachter@vpl.ca