Powell River is looking at a nearly 7 per cent increase to operate the Powell River Public Library in 2026.
Chief Librarian Rebecca Burbank presented her request for just over $1.1 million during yesterday’s (Nov. 18) council committee meeting.
The request is nearly $72,000 more than this year (6.7 per cent).
Chief Librarian Rebecca Burbank told councillors it’s driven primarily by labour costs as well as resources.
“The collections increase is based on a rise in costs. The increase to this area enables us to respond to the demand in the digital collections and the physical collections that we’re seeing,” Burbank said.
The library has seen the use of items like Libby and PressReader jump 15 per cent this year alone (year to date use of digital collections is 41,927) – 49 per cent in three years.
With the city feeling financial strain, Councillor Jim Palm had a tough question for Burbank.
“If we were looking to reduce overall expenditure, would you cut time or would you cut the number of staff involved to save that money on the table?” Palm asked.
“It would depend on a lot of factors, right? And that would be a decision that the library board would need to consider,” Burbank replied.
Council heard that during the middle of the day there are 11 library staff on duty.
The funding request will form part of upcoming budget talks.
Library statistics show 68 per cent of library card holders are from the City of Powell River, followed by 25 per cent from qathet.
The library has had almost 95,000 visits so far this year.
