Library board keeps lights on

The Daily Courier 2009-11-19

Okanagan libraries won‘t face summertime closures, the regional board decided on Wednesday. During the Okanagan Regional Library board‘s full-day meeting, board members approved a $14.87-million operating budget for 2010, ensuring that all branches will remain open with regular hours for the year. The board‘s finance committee had brought forward a proposed budget to deal with recent provincial government cutbacks that would involve several reductions, including a week-long system-wide closure in the summer.

However, board members voted to add $40,000 to the budget in order to prevent closures, as well as approving an additional $250,000 to a reserve fund for future buildings. While potential branch closures were not part of the debate at this meeting, board members want a complete assessment of smaller branches and how they fit with board policy to be reviewed in 2010.
Due to the reduction of provincial grants, cuts will include:
-- Summer reading clubs will have less funding for materials and promotion.
-- Babytime programs will be cancelled at seven branches.
-- The ORL will not print and mail overdue notices in cases where patrons can be notified via phone or email.
The ORL will work with branches in the coming months to implement changes with as little disruption as possible.
A new strategic planning process has been approved to begin in 2010, and members will consult with the public on how to best serve their communities.