Regional Budget

[danbrotherston]

What is regional council thinking!?

I think the key point from the article is

The pandemic put pressure on the libraries’ finances, but led to changes that trimmed the library tax levy by 7.2 per cent, while still maintaining service, says Sheryl Tilley, manager of library services.

If they can provide equivalent service with less money I don't see the downside. Better matching library hours to demand, more virtual events, better use of development charges, etc don't seem like inherently unreasonable changes. Some branches did see longer hours under the changes, matching demand.

I think libraries are valuable, and I wouldn't want to see useful services cut, but doing the same things more efficiently is good.

I mean, leaving the optics of cutting libraries and childcare to fund more police aside....

I don't think for a second that cutting doesn't cost something. This belief about "efficiencies" is almost always an excuse for cutting services.  But I have zero doubt about people's willingness to tow the party line.

And this belief is backed up in the article:

"Staff were laid off when the library was shut last year, but the libraries have reopened with all 53 employees, economizing by not filling staff vacancies. Reduced travel costs as meetings go online and a reduction in library hours to focus on when demand is greatest have also produced savings."

Yes, you can call it "efficiencies" but there is no doubt that these are cuts.