Deadline moved to Mon Dec 12 at 12 noon for RPL budget comments

The deadline for submissions to City Council about the RPL budget has been revised to be Monday Dec. 12 at 12 noon. Send submissions to clerks@regina.ca . You need to say that the letter is for the budget meeting on December 14, 

The info is in the AGENDA PACKET for the City Council Budget meeting on December 14. Go to this webpage, http://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx then click on the Dec 14 City Council meeting, the  AGENDA PACKET. It takes a little bit of time to download. The RPL document is pages Pages 430 to 473. Page 134 lists the Library mill rate increases since  2016. 

The budget is mostly a description of RPL previous and planned activities, so reasonably readable.

Please submit your thoughts, no matter how brief, to the City.

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RPL plans – good or bad? Send comments to City Council by Dec 8

Now is a big opportunity for you to email to show your support for RPL’s future plans, or your concerns.

Send in your comments on the RPL’s future plans. RPL budget comments due by Thurs. Dec 8 at 1:00 pm

Positive comments or concerns – the public needs to hear your views.

This is the only public opportunity to discuss the RPL budget / plans for the future.

The RPL budget for 2023 and 2024 was presented to City of Regina’s Executive Committee on Nov. 2, 2022. The RPL is requesting a mill rate increase of 2.5% in 2023 and 1.78% in 2024. Link to Nov. 2 discussion, starting around 4:51:00 into the meeting.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1kp1Lqw0BI

Putting money into a reserve fund for Central (plan to demolish current building and build anew) is part of the budget as well as money for some repairs to Central and funds for development in other branches. The budget also mentions the Film Theatre, the Dunlop Gallery, and the Prairie History Room, along with the Community Commons that replaced the Outreach Service Room, many library programs, online resources and many technology things that the RPL wants to do. The budget document is not too hard to read, mainly a description of the RPL’s planned activities. Pages 117 to 145  http://reginask.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=4637&Inline=True  

Send your letter, or email, no matter how brief, to City Council, on the topic of your choice. Comments can be positive about RPL programs or plans, or express concerns. You can also make a presentation in person or online if you choose, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

A figure referenced in the budget that RPL contributes $70 million a year to the Regina economy, is contained in this document “Economic Benefit of Regina Public Library”

The economic benefit of RPL is estimated to be $70 million, including $37 million in direct benefits and $33 million in indirect benefits. As a result, RPL generates $2.98 in economic value for each dollar invested in it – the equivalent of $309 of value for each Regina resident.  https://central.reginalibrary.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/RPL_Economic_Benefit_Report_2020.pdf

FROM RPL WEBSITE

The is lots more information about the RPL’s finances on their Annual Reporting page https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/annual-reporting 


MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (MD&A)

The MD&A provides a yearly overview from RPL’s management team. It covers the previous year’s operations and how the organization performed. Each report covers the highlights of the year, including information on major projects, key initiatives, statistics on library use, and more as well as more detailed discussion of the library’s operations.

In prior years, this was referred to as the library’s Annual Report.

BUDGET AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Our budget outlines our planned spending for the year and the sources of revenue anticipated to meet those spending needs. Since most of the library’s revenue is from a municipal tax levy, the library submits a mill rate request to the City of Regina each year for enough funds to cover planned spending. 

Our audited financial statements present the financial performance of the library over the course of a year and are accompanied by an independent auditor’s report verifying that those statements fairly present the financial position of the library.

Public Accounts is an accountability tool that outlines expenditures made to the Library’s Board of Directors as well as any payments over $50,000 to employees and vendors of the Library.

FROM RPL WEBSITE

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (MD&A)

The MD&A provides a yearly overview from RPL’s management team. It covers the previous year’s operations and how the organization performed. Each report covers the highlights of the year, including information on major projects, key initiatives, statistics on library use, and more as well as more detailed discussion of the library’s operations.

In prior years, this was referred to as the library’s Annual Report.

BUDGET AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Our budget outlines our planned spending for the year and the sources of revenue anticipated to meet those spending needs. Since most of the library’s revenue is from a municipal tax levy, the library submits a mill rate request to the City of Regina each year for enough funds to cover planned spending. 

Our audited financial statements present the financial performance of the library over the course of a year and are accompanied by an independent auditor’s report verifying that those statements fairly present the financial position of the library.

Public Accounts is an accountability tool that outlines expenditures made to the Library’s Board of Directors as well as any payments over $50,000 to employees and vendors of the Library.

Catalyst Conversation Nov 24 will include Library

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 24, 7:30 pm: CATHEDRAL CATALYST CONVERSATION, CATHEDRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE, 2900 13TH AVE

A chance to learn about, provide feedback on the city’s Catalyst Projects. Ward 3 City Councillor Andrew Stevens will be there to answer questions.

Nov 10 (revised) deadline for Catalyst Ctte submissions

Members of the public have until Nov 10 at midnight to
1. Fill out the Be Heard Survey https://beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee
2. Submit comments to the Catalyst Committee.. 

Send to:  Attention Co-chairs Tim Reid + Bob Hawkins at catalyst@regina.ca and

Cc: Regina City Council Clerks at clerks@regina.ca  – to forward to Mayor and all Council
      RPL Board therplboard@reginalibrary.ca – to forward to all Board members
 

Modernist Central Library – why it should be preserved

An excellent display by Jeannie Mah to the Catalyst Committee about the value of the modernist Central Library Building. Modernist Central Library. J. Mah

Speaking notes for her Oct. 20, 2022 presentation to the Catalyst Committee. Notes. Modernist Central Library, for Catalyst C. J. MAH

Also Jeannie Mah’s presentation to the RPL Board on Sept. 27 RPL Board Central Library_27th Sept 2022

Our Modernist Central Library was built in 1962 after winning a city-wide plebiscite vote to spend $925,000 for a new library. Sixty years later, with neither discussion paper nor public discussion nor mention of its Heritage status, the RPL Library Board has “considered what’s best for customers and the community”, and has voted to demolish Central Library.

Two opinions about Saskatoon’s proposed new library

FRPL is VERY supportive of libraries. And so we support public discussion of different views about libraries. These are two opinions on Saskatoon’s new proposed downtown library.

Yann Martel: Replacing Saskatoon’s decrepit downtown library no luxury:

As the cost of living goes up and up and up — groceries, houses, restaurants and so on — libraries are still free. Yann Martel Oct 19, 2022  •  October 20, 2022  https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/yann-martel-replacing-saskatoons-decrepit-downtown-library-no-luxury

Cary Tarasoff: Martel glazes over new Saskatoon library’s real issues:

A former Saskatoon mayoral candidate thinks the proposed new downtown Saskatoon library represents an unnecessary expense. Cary Tarasoff Oct 25, 2022 https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/cary-tarasoff-martel-glazes-over-new-saskatoon-librarys-real-issues

Saskatoon Public Library releases final design for new central branch:

Library CEO says project remains on time and on budget. Bryn Levy Oct 11, 2022 https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/saskatoon-public-library-releases-final-design-for-new-central-branch

FRPL submissions to Catalyst Committee

The text of our presentation FRPL to Catalyst Committee, Oct 20, 2022 – Final

A display about libraries that have made additions to their buildings instead of tearing them down. FRPL Library Additions Display for Catalyst Ctte Oct 20, 2022

Tours of Central: Oct 25 to 29

Regina Public Library is hosting tours from Oct 25 to 29, 2022 “to share information about the history of the building and some of the issues we are facing. Join us for a guided tour to hear about key concerns and remediation RPL has been undertaking to keep it safe. There will be opportunity to ask questions along the way. This tour provides a chance to learn more about the Central Library Renewal (CLR) project, one of the infrastructure projects being reviewed by the City of Regina’s Catalyst Committee. Tours begin in the lobby and will last approximately one hour. Tues, Oct 25 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Wed, Oct 26 2:00pm – 3:00pm, Wed, Oct 26 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Thurs, Oct 27 6:00pm – 7:00pm, Sat, Oct 29 10:00am – 11:00am For more information, and to register for a tour: https://central.reginalibrary.ca/” You must preregister – have your library card handy or be prepared to sign up for one.

Note that these tours are supposed to talk about the heritage aspects of the building, but their main focus will be on the problems with the building, to justify the RPL Board’s decision to tear it down. So be prepared for this line of thought, and your questions about the building.

Deadline Oct 31st: letters to Catalyst Committee

Deadline Oct 31st:  Send presentations that were given to the RPL Board, presentations given at Catalyst Committee and other thoughts to Catalyst Committee.  

It has been suggested to us that it would be good to have your presentations and letters sent to the Catalyst Committee by the end of October.

Send to:  Attention Co-chairs Tim Reid + Bob Hawkins at catalyst@regina.ca and

Tim Reid at tim.reid@real1884.ca and dakota.schmidt@real1884.ca 

Bob Hawkins at  bhawkins@regina.ca 


Cc: Regina City Council Clerks at clerks@regina.ca  – to forward to Mayor and all Council.

Public can listen, present at Catalyst Ctte

Reminder of this week’s meetings of the Catalyst Committee. See important articles and letters to the editor https://friendsofrpl.ca/central-branch-2021/media-coverage-central-library-2022/

Information on the Catalyst Committee https://beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee Regina Residents Invited to Provide Input on Once-in-a-Generation Catalyst Committee Projects, October 7, 2022 https://www.regina.ca/news/Regina-Residents-Invited-to-Provide-Input-on-Once-in-a-Generation-Catalyst-Committee-Projects/

Their report to Council in January 2023 will have a major influence on projects that will receive City Council support in the future.

Sessions Oct. 17 to 20, 11 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm
AGT Lounge, enter by Northwest door at Mosaic Stadium. Use Elevator 2 to the 3rd floor.
Parking in nearby lots, bus #12

Project proponents will make first presentation of about 30 minutes.
Members of the public can make presentations, 5 to 10 minutes is suggested, but there is no set time limit. You don’t have to submit your presentation in advance. You can bring PowerPoint presentations on a USB stick.

Monday: Multi-Purpose Event Centre
Tuesday: Regina Aquatics Centre
Wednesday: Multi-Purpose Outdoor Baseball Event Centre & Synthetic Outdoor Field Project (joint presentation)
Thursday: Modernization of the Central Library

People can sent in emails / letters to the Catalyst Committee.
 For full consideration, get them in by the end of October. Email questions and submissions to clerks@regina.ca with the subject line  “Catalyst Committee”.

The BEHEARD survey will be posted on the City of Regina website (www.beheard.regina.ca/catalyst-committee) starting on October 17th.  

There is no arrangement for broadcasting the event on the internet, so no ability to make a presentation remotely or to hear what is being said.

People can create display storyboards, to be at the AGT location by Friday Oct 14 or befor 11 am on the 17th

There is no downtown location for a discussion of the downtown.