Canada: “Halifax Public Libraries Says It Can Manage With Less City Funding”

From the CBC:

Despite an overwhelming number of visitors to the Central Library in Halifax, along with a major increase in computer use and online visitors, Halifax Public Libraries management says it can make do with less municipal funding next year.
The request to the city is for $19,440,000 for 2016-2017 — roughly $130,000 less than what it is expected to cost to run the library system this year.
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A plan to “reduce full-time positions and part-time hours,” as well as an increase in “vacancy management,” is expected to generate $325,000 in savings.
“We are not considering layoffs,” said Åsa Kachan, chief librarian and CEO.
“We are reviewing staffing and service structures at Central Library and more broadly, to make sure we allocate our staff resources in a way that best serves the public’s interest and needs.”
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According to the draft budget, the new Halifax Central Library welcomed 1.9 million in its first year of operation — far surpassing the original estimate of 900,000 visits per year.
Overall, computer use at libraries was up 92 per cent last year. Meeting room bookings also increased 28 per cent and WiFi connections were up 106 per cent.

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See Also: The New $57.6 Million Halifax Central Library Opens! (December 13, 2014)

Filed under: Funding, Libraries, Management and Leadership, News, Public Libraries