The New Westminster Public Library is getting a financial boost from the province.
The library has been notified that it will receive a one-time, targeted “enhancement grant” of almost $200,000 from the public libraries branch of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.
“We appreciate very much the support this grant provides us, given a strategic plan that emphasizes equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion,” said Elaine Su, chair of the library board. “We’re looking forward to working with the community to identify priorities in how best to allocate these funds.”
The New Westminster Public Library said the grant has arrived at an important time in its history.
“While continuing to provide traditional services to the community, we recognize that the city is growing, and with that growth comes increasing demands for more. We also recognize the need to work with marginalized and vulnerable communities who are easily overlooked when planning for new services and programs,” said chief librarian Jorge Cardenas. “There are a number of those in our city who continue to face physical, social or cultural barriers to library services, and this funding can assist us to extend our services to those who most need them, where they are.”
The province has announced that all 71 B.C. public libraries and organizations that help libraries deliver their services will receive one-time grants totalling $45 million, in addition to their annual operating funding. The province said the funding will give libraries flexibility to address local priorities, including longer hours, bigger digital collections and better access to literacy and lifelong learning opportunities.
New Westminster MLA Jennifer Whiteside and Queensborough-Richmond MLA Aman Singh issued a press release regarding the funds.
“Libraries are more than just places to borrow books – they are community hubs that promote lifelong learning, literacy, and support," Whiteside said in the news release. "With this investment, libraries can enhance their facilities, update technology and equipment, expand their collections, and provide more services for people of all ages."
The New Westminster Public Library, which has been in operation since 1865, is British Columbia’s first free public library.
"Libraries play a critical role in our communities by providing access to information and knowledge for people of all ages and different backgrounds," Singh said. “By investing in our libraries, we are ensuring that people have access to the information and resources they need to continue to learn and succeed.”
The MLAs say the funding gives libraries the flexibility to address local priorities while ensuring they are able to meet the evolving needs of their local communities over the coming years.
The MLAs’ press release, issued by the New Democrat BC Government Caucus, stated he New Westminster Public Library is receiving $359,534.93 in funding.
Cardenas said $159,742.64 is the library’s annual grant for 2023, which increased by $16,000 from 2022 because the funding framework had been updated with 2021 Census population figures.
“This is the money we, thankfully, get from the province every year,” he said in an email to the Record. “The one-time grant is $199,792.29, and may be used over three years (2023 to 2025) to support local library service enhancement.”
