The Prince George Public Library will be making a plea to city council tonight for $50,457 in additional funding.
The library board will make its case during the second half of the city's budget deliberations, which begin at 3:30 p.m. In a report to city council, library board chairperson Anne George said the request is to cover the cost of a pair of computer servers and software upgrades to manage the library's digital resources, which were scheduled
under contract.
"Our original budget, submitted Nov. 16, 2011, has already been severely amended to meet [the city's] guidelines of net zero, the same as last year's 2011 budget, leaving a net shortfall of $177,909," George wrote. "The board has canceled all staff raises, restricted travel and professional development, deferred furniture and shelving costs, and made internal adjustments to accommodate council's initiatives... to address fiscal issues. Despite these cost-cutting measures, there are a number of technical
expenditures beyond our control."
In an interview, George said the technical upgrades are needed to keep up with the growing demand on the library to provide more, and faster, online services.
"It's actually just bringing the
library up to date," George said.
"We're just keeping pace with
upgrades that are necessary to what we're already doing."
In 2011 the city provided $3.62 million of the library's total $4 million budget. The board is requesting that amount be increased to $3.67 million in 2012.
The library's proposed budget would see $30,674 in additional wage and benefit costs, $12,817 in additional operational spending and $17,166 in additional capital investment compared to 2011.
Unlike the City of Prince George's unionized staff, who will receive contracted raises this year, George said, library staff will receive no wage increases, "which is really a decrease in take-home pay."
The Prince George library has over 53,000 library card holders and many more who use the
library's free services, she said.
"We're a very well-used library," George said. "Other libraries are being funded at a per capita basis higher than Prince George. We're providing incredible service for a low cost."
Since 2009, the library has loaned over 800,000 items per year. The library draws over 20,000
participants in approximately 1,000
different programs.
"The consequences of not funding the minimum required budget 2012 upgrade may jeopardize our ability to maintain current revenue streams and will curtail generating future service agreements currently under consideration. As you know, technical activity has helped secure continued revenue in terms of service agreements with the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, along with a greater number of
donations," George wrote.
"Even with this funding, the library will have to reduce its shelving and furniture programs, which are necessary to replace aging infrastructure items for safety and
liability reasons."
In addition to the library service agreement for 2012, city council will be considering the departmental budgets for the operations departments - which includes snow removal, roads, solid waste and parks - police, fire, bylaw services, land management, off-street
parking and civic facilities.
The 2012 to 2016 capital plan will also be up for approval.
Residents will have an opportunity to make presentations to city council at 6 p.m.
