Biblio Files: A History of the Regina Public Library will be launched on Saturday October 28 at 3 pm at the Central Library in Regina.
Sign up here for the publisher University of Regina Press’ Facebook event page
FRPL AGM Sat Oct 21, 2017, 1:30 PM, Artful Dodger, 1631 11th Avenue. It’s been a significant year for libraries in the province. Topics include: Central Library, Prairie History Room, new Albert Library, RPL Strategic Plan, Provincial library funding, FRPL Events, History Book launch
1. The petition calling for funding cut-backs has regularly been presented in the legislature by MLA Carla Beck. A copy can be downloaded here https://savesasklibraries.ca/action-centre Petition_Libraries_2017_03_24 Save Sask Libraries petition instructions Mar 28, 2017
2. The petition calling for a referendum on restoring library funding is well on its way to getting the 125,000 signatures required to legally force a referendum. See the website at http://www.votelibrarypetition.ca/ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/librarypetition/
VOTE Library Petition VOTE Petition FAQs VOTE Library Petition signing instructions
Volunteers are need to assist in this process by collecting signatures at public events.
Thanks to library supporters for all the letter-writing, phone calls, petition signing and attending events. The government is now in the process of reviewing its budget on library funding! There may be Cabinet meetings concerning the budget this weekend – so keep on contacting your MLA!
1. The two RPL sessions on how the budget cuts would affect services in Regina and province-wide were very well attended. Information about the situation affecting the RPL and provincial library services is located at https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/in-the-media
2. The Saskatchewan Library Association has the RPL information, plus other facts, and a good updated list of items that have been in the media. https://www.reginalibrary.ca/about/in-the-media
3. The Saskatchewan Library Trustees’ Association also has a position statement, media reports, and responses to the budget cuts from across Canada. http://slta.ca/
4. The movement across Saskatchewan is highlighted on the Save Saskatchewan Libraries (formerly Support Our Saskatchewan Libraries) Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1863999523837974/
5. Actions being taken are at the website https://savesasklibraries.ca/news/
“Regina Public Library concerned cuts will hurt customers” April 3, 2017 RPLConcernedaboutcuts1 http://www.reginalibrary.ca/blogs/media/blogs/press/RPLConcernedaboutcuts1.pdf
“Cost-cutting forces closure of borders between libraries” April 4, 2017 BordersclosedbetweenSKlibrarysystems http:/”Cost/www.reginalibrary.ca/blogs/media/blogs/press/BordersclosedbetweenSKlibrarysystems.pdf
http://www.reginalibrary.ca/blogs/media/blogs/press/RPLrevised2017budget1.pdf
Library cuts astounding
REGINA, SK — Members of the Friends of the Regina Public Library were astounded by the Saskatchewan government’s recent announcement of budget cuts to city and regional libraries.
The cut to Regina Public Library was significant – about 3% of the budget. The cuts to the regional library systems will have a devastating impact on those libraries.
What is most dismaying is the attitude of the Saskatchewan Minister of Education, who in his remarks seemed to have a complete lack of understanding of the value of libraries as learning centres and places for community and as centres for the access to information and public discourse which are a cornerstone of our democracy; and conveyed a dismissive attitude to the wonderful legacy of libraries and the connections between libraries that has been built up in Saskatchewan, which is admired all across Canada.
Libraries are a destination location providing not only books, DVD’s and many other resources, they are also a place of quiet for study for children and adults and a technology hub for people who do not have ready access to computers and the Internet elsewhere. People study for school or training and do research for work and business opportunities. They access materials that stimulate imagination and creativity. Newcomers to Canada can find resources, in many languages. Libraries today have many ways of accommodating the requirements of people with challenges in seeing, hearing and mobility. Libraries have resources and programs responding to Indigenous culture. Small local libraries, built up often by the pioneering efforts of rural women, are an important part of the community fabric in small towns throughout the province. As well, northern communities need these valued resources to build hope for the youth of this province.
FRPL calls upon the government to rescind these cuts. In a time of social change in this province, libraries are too important of a resource to be cutting their budgets and callously dismissing their value. The rapid and strong response to this action shows the high value the people of Saskatchewan put in their libraries.
FRPL is encouraging people to write to their MLA, sign the two petitions that are being sent to the provincial government, and participate in events such as the province-wide read-in to be held on April 7.
In its recent budget the Saskatchewan government announced it will provide the following, which in fact amounts to huge budget cuts for city and regional libraries.
