Budget cut a sad chapter for Saskatchewan libraries
As Oscar Wilde once wrote, a cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
The phrase would also be well applied to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, and the budget released last week in our neighbouring province.
In the name of belt tightening, $1.3 million in operating grants to municipal library systems in Regina and Saskatoon were axed. This isn’t just a cutback. This is 100 per cent of the funding received from the province gone. Vanished. Adios. Left with just municipal support at a time when municipalities are struggling as well to balance books, and provide services to their citizens, minus having the power of provincial and federal taxation at their fingertips. On top of that, seven regional library systems will lose almost 60 per cent of their funding, to the tune of $3.5 million.
“At this time, we are uncertain what will become of our 32 rural public libraries and 14 corner libraries in southwestern Saskatchewan” reads a statement from Chinook Arch Regional Library System — our neighbour just to the east of Medicine Hat.
But for libraries across the province, it will ultimately mean programs and services being cut, staff being let go, even the closure of library branches.
If you think libraries are no longer relevant, you’re simply wrong. Drop by any one of them to see that.
Sure there’s the books — which are an absolutely fabulous part of a library — but that’s just one part of what makes these places a vital part of any community. When people are facing job losses and cutting their own budgets, it’s libraries that provide economical access to everything from books, to movies to music.
E-readers may be popular, but an e-book costs money. Which is why libraries have adapted to allow ebooks to be checked out. Libraries link people with education and training — most recently, our own regional library system has signed on so that patrons can access online educational courses. With so much online nowadays, libraries are where people who don’t have access to computers can go to have this sort of access.
They’re where families can come for storytimes and socialization. They’re a safe place for youth to go and hang out. They’re a place seniors can go to chat — even learn something about the newfangled technology kids nowadays are using. They create networks, friends, support and connections.
Libraries are one of the few collectively owned public commons that are available to everyone, and welcome everyone — no matter one’s age, race, religion, social status or how much money a person has in the bank.
And that is worth more than saving a few million in the name of trying to balance a provincial budget.
Tickled Pink
With the new regulations surrounding drones. The rise in drone incidents is alarming and this is a good proactive step.
Off With the opposition blaming this government for our financial woes. Did the previous government save for a rainy day? No, they spent like a bunch of drunken old men.
Ticked Ticked Off
Premier Rachel Notley and Finance Minister Joe Ceci are hiring people from Ontario to replace light bulbs in Albertans homes and businesses.
Ticked Off
Every time we try to view a webpage a Facebook sign in banner pops up. As a person who refuses to have Facebook it sure is annoying to view websites with this banner in the way.
Ticked Off
With people that think nothing of plugging the machines to gamble or pick up a six-pack or pack of smokes but complain about the carbon levy/tax.
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We have no money for dementia help but have all sorts of money to give to Third World countries.
Tickled Pink
If city council would cut social service spending in half and spend more on recreation facilities.
Tickled Pink
That we welcome refugees and immigrants to a new life. But we need a stipulation that if you break any laws you’ll be sent back to your home country immediately.
Ticked Off
I’m not keen to have a recycle bin out front of my house. I prefer to use REDI and do it myself.
Ticked Off
At business owners who hide behind religion and then bully the heck out of their employees.
Ticked Off
The idea of saving The Arena is for the kids that play hockey. Can you imagine the cost of ice time at the Canalta Centre?
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About the cost of dental work in Medicine Hat but tickled pink because I go to Saskatchewan for half the price.
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Why doesn’t somebody get off their butt and start getting jobs in Medicine Hat? Or else get rid of the whole city council.
Ticked Off
So the city wants to reduce costs? How about hiring private.
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The highly skilled foreign workers program should be cancelled. Big corporations should hire unemployed young skilled workers instead. Canada has enough workers already don’t need more workers.
Tickled Pink
There’s a picture of Echo Dale Park in Our Canada magazine taken by someone local.
Tickled Pink
I think the committee is doing a great thing in trying to save The Arena.
Ticked Off
We need to get louder for the Tigers, especially for the playoffs.
Tickled Pink
I went to the new diagnostic lab and it was fantastic.
Ticked Off
We knew the new AHS diagnostic lab would be a nightmare.
Tickled Pink
Kudos to the host of the Tigers games. He does an absolutely outstanding job.
Tickled Pink
The Irvine Skating Club had their round up recently. It was a marvelous show and all the hard work paid off.
Ticked Off
That the voters chose a guy that has no kids/family so beware of cuts in that area. Hopefully he doesn’t bring in his faith as past PC leaders have brought into politics.
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That a friend had to spend thousands of dollars on a lawyer to have charge by the RCMP not even make it to court. Talk about incompetence.
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No blue baskets for curbside recycling for the wind to blow around. Use back alley carts.
Tickled Pink
Until the latest round of local “social engineering,” namely, the Raising the Curtain campaign. I had no idea Medicine Hat was so blatantly racist! Thank you to the organizers for again telling us how we should all think.
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With people complain about carbon levy/tax. But buy smokes, lottery tickets, gamble and alcohol which all are user taxes as well.
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With the service at most retail stores. Good service used to be everyone’s priority no matter who you dealt with. Please bring it back.