B.C.’s public libraries are an economic benefit. It’s time for government to match investment to demand. 

Annual provincial funding for B.C.’s public library system has remained frozen at $14 million since 2009. 

Public library systems in B.C. have two primary sources of annual funding: local government (the larger source) and the provincial government (the smaller source).

Provincial funding to each library system is determined by a few things: the total pot of money put aside for public libraries and the varying per-capita rates used to divide it up. Read more about the current funding structure here. 

Additional ad hoc provincial grants are irregular and not guaranteed. 

Yes, the provincial government kicks in extra money – some years. But not every year. Also, these grants have specific usage criteria, are shared across the entire province (i.e., each branch gets a very small amount) and represent only a few years’ worth of funding.

Repeatedly, funding runs out and libraries are forced to make cuts to jobs and services. This makes for precarious work for library workers, unreliable service and instability for communities. 

Demand for libraries is increasing, due to increasing stress on the population and cuts to other social services. 

In 2023, B.C. had 71 public libraries, 250 service locations and six federations, serving 99% of B.C.’s population (Government of British Columbia).  

A global pandemic, housing crisis, opioid crisis, inflation and unaffordability, job losses, a trade war, economic uncertainty, rampant misinformation, increasing use of AI, increased digitization of services, divisiveness, and rising education costs – it's all adding real stress to the people of British Columbia. 

As one of the few free third spaces available in our province, people turn to libraries for shelter, personal connection, accurate information and access to increasingly digitized services and skills – things our economy and society need people to have. 

In fact, libraries provide a net-benefit to taxpayers. “For everyone $1 invested in Canada’s urban libraries, $6 is generated in community economic impact, a return of over 600%.” (Overdue: The Case for Canada’s Public Libraries, 2023, Canadian Urban Institute, page 29.) 

Library workers are shouldering the gap between supply and demand. But their labour is being exhausted. 

According to the Canadian Urban Institute in its 2023 report, Overdue: The Case for Canada’s Public Libraries, the funding gap between the growing number of services being provided by libraries and the resources to do so is “staggering and growing.” Read the full report here. 

Government funding cuts to other social services has put libraries in a position of being a social and economic safety net without necessary resources to be so. 

Library workers are forced to perform the work of social service providers, taking on increasing security and health risks as they support people directly and indirectly impacted by concurrent crises. 

“More library staff is needed.” This was the top response from attendees at BCLA 2024 when asked what they want their library boards to know. 

A better funding structure for B.C.’s public library systems is possible. 

Tell the B.C. government to seriously address the strain on library services by increasing its annual guaranteed funding amount to $25 million.  

(This amount represents government’s 2008 investment ($17.6m) adjusted for inflation in 2024.)

What else you can do: 

• Listen to library workers and amplify their voices. 

• Write to your city/district council representatives and provincial representatives 

• Vote for library-friendly candidates in elections 

• Attend library board meetings and city/district council meetings 

What your elected officials can do: 

• Listen to library workers! Ask what they need, act on their answers and amplify their voices. 

• Lobby other elected officials on municipal, regional district and provincial governments 

• Appoint or run library-friendly and library-informed candidates for library boards 

• Ensure library workers are present at library board meetings and city/district council meetings 

For more information, read: 

• Historical levels of library funding in B.C. and paths forward – BCGEU, May 2024 

• Overdue: The Case for Canada’s Public Libraries – Canadian Urban Institute, 2023 

• Much more than books: The case for robust funding for the Toronto Public Library – Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, November 2024