This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
'These latest cuts will translate into service reductions and job losses.' - BCGEU president Darryl Walker.
Vancouver (25 Aug. 2009) - Deep cuts to library funding – quietly revealed by the education minister – will have significant consequences for public library services across British Columbia, especially in smaller communities, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE).
Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid has confirmed that the Campbell Liberal government will cut grants to libraries by 22% – $4 million – in its upcoming September budget.
Libraries have been bracing for the cuts after the government refused to release grant money or inform them of pending changes. For some libraries in smaller towns and cities outside of the Lower Mainland and Victoria, the grants make up more than 50% of total revenue for the year, money that goes for literacy programming, funding inter-library loans, licensing online resources and much more.
"Our members are very concerned that these latest cuts will translate into service reductions and job losses at a time when more British Columbians are relying on their libraries to help them and their families cope with the economic downturn," says BCGEU president Darryl Walker.
"Libraries and their staff provide an invaluable service to British Columbians looking for jobs or information on training programs, or just somewhere to spend an afternoon with their family that doesn't cost an arm and a leg."
Walker warns that because the announcement comes so late in the budget year libraries will be forced to juggle their budgets and may have to significantly reduce staffing hours as they scramble to make up for this latest Liberal cut to public services.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE