The Sechelt Public Library Association will continue to run the Sechelt library.
The library association elected a new board at its annual general meeting Feb. 5, putting to rest fears that the association would be dissolved and the library's assets and liabilities turned over to the District of Sechelt.
Garry Foxall, the outgoing chair of the library association, said this has been a difficult year for the library.
"We spent the year pursuing adequate and secure funding, and at the last minute we were assured by local governments of enough funding for 2005 to maintain existing services but not to re-open the library on Sunday," said Foxall. "For the first time ever, all areas on the peninsula will be contributing to library services through their taxes."
Rik Diespecker is the new chair of the library association. Board members are Bonnie Cannon, Shawna Ford, Dorothy Fraser, Adrienne Graham, John Hopkinson, Robert Paulin, Gillian Smith and Sue Thompson.
Diespecker said a new integrated library system would be a major priority in 2005.
"Users of the Sechelt and Gibsons libraries will be able to search the collections of both libraries and renew and reserve books and other materials from their home computers," he said.
Unlike the Gibsons library, which has a stable source of funding approved by a referendum in Gibsons, West Howe Sound and Elphinstone, the Sechelt library depends on annual grants that must be approved by local politicians. As a result, the Sechelt library has struggled with budget shortfalls in recent years.
Last May, a budget battle between Sechelt and Halfmoon Bay resulted in the Sechelt library closing on Sundays.
Political battles dragged on for months, raising fears that the library might have to cut back hours further. Foxall and other board members said they were unwilling to continue running the library in that case.
Instead, politicians from Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, the Sechelt Indian Band and Roberts Creek have all agreed to contribute to the library's 2005 budget. But the contribution from each of those areas was calculated using different formulas, and the money is guaranteed for 2005 only. Discussions are underway at the regional district for a new library function that might provide more stable long-term funding.
Iris Loewen, chief librarian for the Sechelt Public Library, reported that in 2004 more than 8,000 members borrowed 162,000 items. Last year, volunteers worked 3,100 hours in book repair, shelving, assisting on the circulation desk and other jobs.
There were an estimated 90,000 visits to the library, 15,000 information requests and 66 programs for children and adults, which Loewen called a real challenge for library staff.
The library's circulation has increased 25 per cent over the last five years, according to Loewen.
