The Cranbrook Public Library is urging provincial and local governments for increased support to prevent more service cuts.
Chief Librarian Ursula Brigl says provincial support was cut in 2009 and has been frozen since then.
Local government support has steadily increased its contributions, but it hasn’t closed the gap.
The library has already made cuts to service by reducing its services operations by nine hours back in May.
“Staff and board worked together to look at all aspects of operations to identify ways to reduce costs and increase revenue within the constraints that govern all public libraries,” said Brigl.
“The focus was to minimize the negative impacts on library users and our ability to continue to serve as an officially designated community warming and cooling centre as much as possible.”
However, without further support, Brigle said more service cuts are likely.
The Library is now serving 18.5 per cent more people while costs have risen by 36 per cent.
“The Library is serving more people and meeting more complex needs than ever,” she said.
“But funding has fallen so far behind that we’ve already been forced to cut hours just to stay afloat. Without significant new support from both the Province and local governments, deeper cuts to essential services are inevitable.”
They are encouraging users to visit the library and fill out a post card that will be sent to the city, RDEK and provincial officials.
The postcards will be sent at the end of October.
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