Library aiming to avoid major budget hikes under new service model: CEO

Management of the Saskatoon Public Library do not know how much it will cost to operate under its new community-led service model, but its CEO says the organization will work to avoid “significant” budget increases.

Proposed more than two years ago, the new service model is essentially a different philosophy that bases operational decisions on outside consultations rather than internal deliberations.

According to a confidential library document obtained by the Saskatoon Starphoenix, the library’s new operating cost won’t be known until the service model is implemented, likely sometime in mid-2020.

In an interview Monday, Saskatoon Public Library CEO Carol Cooley said that is because it won’t be clear what people across the community want and expect from their library until consultations begin.

“We’ll always have an eye on doing things in a way that mitigates significant budget increases — phasing things in. We’re mindful of impacts on the taxpayers,” Cooley said.

“We’re certainly not going to expect the public to pay for changes in service levels all in one year, nor would the public want to do that. We have some control over this,” she added.

The library system is expected to cost $25.8 million to run next year, up from $24.1 million in 2018 following city council’s approval of a 6.45-per-cent property tax increase.

Library taxes account for about six per cent of the total property tax bill.

The library’s 2019 budget increase works out to about $11.50 per year from a property assessed at $371,000.

The document, which summarizes answers to questions asked by library employees, also makes clear that it will likely take “a year or two” before consultations begin.

“The exact processes through which we ask questions of the community and gather feedback will become clear through the development of our service model,” the document states.

Cooley said that figure is now down to about 18 months, during which the library — which has already gone through a restructuring aimed at setting the stage for consultations — will outline that process.

While the details have yet to be finalized, it could include online and paper surveys, conversations with patrons and meetings with various groups and stakeholders in the community.

The restructuring, which wrapped up in July, proved contentious.

While the library insisted the change to a new service model was necessary to “keep pace with the times,” the union representing its roughly 150 full-time-equivalent employees took a dim view of the organizational changes.

Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 2669’s fears included pay cuts for some employees moving to new roles.

However, Cooley said Monday the library will maintain current wages for employees until it can commission an external equity review in 2020.

That could be another financial pressure, as its recommendations are not known.

Cooley added that the library maintains a reserve fund to handle “financial bumps,” such as the changing value of the Canadian dollar.