Library reduces hours due to budget constraints

The Jake Epp Library has reduced its hours due to budgetary constraints.

The library will now be closed on Fridays and only open from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

“Basically, the price of everything – wages included with our minimum wage increases – have gone up and our funding hasn’t gone up along with it so we just have to make some cuts,” said interim library director Aubrey Walker.

“It’s unfortunate for our staff of course and it’s unfortunate for our patrons because they can’t get in when they want to. We’re just starting this course so it’ll remain to be seen how much of an impact it’ll have. It’s not ideal,” she noted.

The last time the library received a funding increase from the city was in 2022 for $49,000, according to city corporate service manager Adam Thiessen.

“From the city’s perspective we are not aware of any shortages that they’re experiencing. They haven’t communicated that to city council yet,” he said.

The city gives the library $385,680 in funding annually at a locked in rate of five years and it charges $140,000 in rent annually, 20 percent of the library’s annual budget or 36 percent of its annual grant from the city. The rent money is then used by the city to pay for the maintenance, utilities, supplies, and insurance on the building.

Thiessen was asked if the city would consider lowering the rent on the building, but he said the rent is reasonably priced and is market based. Walker said the amount they pay is lower than the corporate rate but still higher than what other libraries are paying.

When comparing other libraries of similar size (Jake Epp is 14,000 sq.ft.) Selkirk pays $77,000 for 18,000 square feet and Portage la Prairie pays $31,410 in rent for 14,500 sq.ft.

“Regarding rent the Public Library Services Act is not explicit, but it does state: On the passing of a bylaw under section 9 the council of the municipality shall (a) establish, equip, and maintain, a public library,” wrote Walker in an email. “PLS suggests that part of equipping and maintaining a library is equipping them with a space, and at a reasonable cost. $140,000 doesn’t seem reasonable to them, especially when compared to other libraries of similar square footage size.”

Other sources of revenue in 2023 for the Jake Epp Library includes the province ($187,331); grants ($15,721); and library generated ($71,338). In all, the library had a total of $695,993 in revenue, but its expenses totalled $730,530, with rent, and wages and benefits ($448,811) covering the bulk of the expenditure.

In order to function properly with no closures and no cuts, the library would need another $55,000 a year, after which it would need a cost of living increase every year to keep up with rising costs so that it doesn’t find itself in this position again, according to Walker.

Response from the community has been met with some disappointment on social media. “I am deeply disappointed. I consider the library and essential service. This is a well-used library,” wrote Kaye Smith.

“Friday is disappointing. My daughter would exchange her books for fresh reading material for the weekend. Now limited to Saturday afternoon which finds most people involved with other summer activities,” wrote Derek Belinsky.

Fabian Lehmann said he used the library on Saturdays to study for university.

Although there is disappointment, the library has received great support from the community.

“We’re hoping to still give the best service possible on the days that we’re open. And I’m really grateful with how the community has responded, because it’s not something we as library want to do. They’ve been very positive towards us, and caring, and asking how can we help? What can we do to support you? And it’s been heartwarming to see that response from the community,” said Walker.