The Fort St John Public Library is no exception to the findings of a recent report stating libraries in B.C. are not receiving enough money from the province.
A report on consultations for next year’s budget found, once again, B.C.’s public libraries are underfunded. It was arranged by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, who recommended an increase in provincial funding.
Fort St John’s library could use the extra cash, according to Matthew Rankin, the director of library services for the Fort St John Public Library Association. He described the underfunding as “ongoing,” and said the areas noted in the report all impact operations.
The committee’s report highlighted “the challenges libraries face due to insufficient funding, including aging infrastructure, lack of staffing, and limited technology.”
Despite the shortages, he said they will continue offering, and expanding, services. The library has recently added pickleball kits and other free non-book-related items residents can borrow. Expanded programming, according to the report, is not doable for a lot of communities in British Columbia – but it was for the local chapter’s director.
“Funding levels for libraries in Fort St John (are) unfortunately near the bottom. We do live in a very supportive community,” Rankin explained. “We’re able to work around some of the issues, but this is a thing that’s been affecting us for a very long time.”
Community use of the library is rising. The number of visitors thus far in 2025 have surpassed the total in-person users in 2023.
“We are a fairly small library for the population that we’re serving, but there’s stuff in the works,” said Rankin. Currently, donations from residents and businesses are funding many of the library’s programs, but Rankin said not all their needs can be met through donations.
“In terms of specific funding for programs, it’s easier to get that funding because it’s a singular thing that we’re focusing on. It’s very easy to market,” he said.
If extra money is budgeted by the provincial government, the local library director said it would go towards buying new physical books, which are making a comeback, and staffing.
Rankin said a boost from the province would allow for additional services and extended hours beyond 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.
