On behalf of the St. Albert Public Library Board (SAPL), we thank the many community members who have taken time to contact city council to ask that they not proceed with a devastating cut to library funding.
We recognize that council faces difficult budget decisions, and that the city is dealing with financial constraints. However, over the last three years, SAPL has played its part in addressing some of these challenges, managing a seven per cent funding reduction in 2020, followed by zero increases in 2021 and 2022. The library reduced the number of full-time equivalent staff by 15 per cent – a reduction of 7.4 FTE positions. At the same time, we attracted a $275,000 federal grant to fund much needed renovations at no cost to the City.
City council is now considering a $500,000 cut to the library’s budget this year and a total $1.5 million cut over the next three years. That’s more than one-third of the library’s budget. A cut this large impacts everyone, from infants to seniors, especially those who rely on open and free access to important services, educational and leisure materials, family activities, and technology training and assistance.
Investment in the public library is an investment in the aspirations and well-being of the citizens of St Albert. The library strengthens and builds our community in so many important ways. We ask for your help to urge council to continue to support these vital services, so that your library can continue being here for you, here for all.
Colleen McClure and Deborah McTaggart-Baird
Co-Chairs, St. Albert Library Board
