A quick read best describes Barrie Public Library’s 2022 budget.
The library board has determined city funding required to maintain adequate and effective library service in 2022 is $180,639 or 2.03 per cent more than the approved 2021 municipal grant, for a budget of almost $9.96 million next year.
“The library’s goals for 2002 address the persistent need to reach individuals and families throughout our growing community, and to meet them where they are,” said Lauren Jessop, the library’s chief executive officer. “This budget maintains service levels, while also expanding the community outreach collection and the creation of flexible, engaging spaces.”
Jessop and Austin Mitchell, chairman of the library board, presented next year’s budget to city council Monday night.
The library budget includes a new Holly branch in the city's south end.
“We haven’t been able to open as quickly as we planned,” said Mitchell, noting the Holly branch is to open in the spring. “We do not yet know the exact cost to maintain and care for that facility.”
Jessop has said an additional $117,000 has been added to 2022’s budget to provide for a full year of operating the Holly branch.
Like many institutions, the Barrie Public Library has been challenged by the pandemic, but pulled through.
In 2020, it had a 70 per cent increase in the use of e-resources and a 28 per cent increase in digital library checkouts.
“(The year) 2021 was another bumpy year for browsing and borrowing in person,” Jessop said, “but we’re finding now that many patrons continue to use electronic materials while also borrowing physical materials from our branches.”
She said there’s been a modest increase in digital library use recorded so far in 2021, and a 19 per cent increase in circulation, as people return to the library.
And so far in 2021, 4,100 new members have been added to the Barrie Public Library’s more than 35,000 members actively using the library.
Barrie councillors are scheduled to discuss the 2022 operating and capital budget at the Nov. 29 general committee meeting, and approve it at the Dec. 6 city council meeting, although there could be more meetings between those dates.
The library’s 2022 budget is included in this process.
