Funding for public libraries needs to increase: advocacy group

Public libraries are fulfilling many social and community services, beyond providing books, according to the Association of British Columbia Public Library Directors (ABCPLD).

But public libraries might not be able to keep offering these services much longer if funding is not increased.

The ABCPLD says its funding has stayed stagnant at $14 million for the last 16 years.

“Public libraries are that kind of mythical third space that people are looking for outside of home and work, where they can just come and exist in a safe place and not have to spend any money,” Cari Lynn Gawletz, chair of the ABCPLD.

Gawletz says libraries have stepped up to fill gaps in community and social services. They provide free programs for newcomers, young children, and even act as unofficial weather shelters.

“How big of an impact we can have in our communities with a really small budget,” said Gawletz.

“Now we are really reaching a breaking point where we are running out of funds to just keep the doors open and the lights on.”

Without increased funding, however, libraries are victim of their own success, where even their base purpose – being a place to borrow books becomes difficult.

With files from Srushti Gangdev.