The Vancouver Island Regional LibraryB次元官网网址檚 (VIRL) recently-passed budget will help maintain service levels for libraries throughout its service area.

The budget, which was adopted at the Sept. 24 meeting of the VIRL board of trustees, reflects both the state of the economy and the demand for services felt throughout the region. VIRLB次元官网网址檚 budget for the year is $33,140,504, of which municipal and regional levies will contribute $27,501,775.

Over 2022, it is an average increase of 8.10 per cent. Support came from 86 per cent of trustees in attendance at the meeting.

B次元官网网址淲ith costs rising everywhere, these are challenging times for organizations, governments, families, and individuals in every corner of VIRLB次元官网网址檚 service area,B次元官网网址� says Gaby Wickstrom, Chair of the VIRL Board of Trustees.

B次元官网网址淚 truly believe now more than ever is the time to commit to investing in our libraries.

B次元官网网址淎fter all, libraries ensure equitable access to technology, educational materials, childrenB次元官网网址檚 resources, and so much more, no matter your circumstances or challenges.

B次元官网网址淎s always, I am proud to lead a Board that was able to deliver a budget that will not compromise on service, and that affirms our confidence in and commitment to our world-class library system.B次元官网网址�

Jo毛lle Samson, who is library manager for the Campbell River branch as well as other branches throughout the Strathcona region, says that the budget will help maintain current levels of service through the large service area she manages.

B次元官网网址淭he passing of this budget means that all VIRL branches, including Campbell River, will be able to maintain the service levels that folks expect from their library, including no fines on materials,B次元官网网址� she said.

Branches supported by Campbell River include Quadra Island, Cortes Island, Tahsis, Gold River and Sayward libraries.

In all, VIRL works with 38 local governments across a 42,000 square kilometre service area.

The library offers accessible, cost-free spaces in 39 communities, and access to downloadable content, books, movies, music, technology and regular events.

The 2023 budget helps with VIRLB次元官网网址檚 commitment to going permanently fine-free, to ensure the broadest community access to the libraryB次元官网网址檚 collections and services.

B次元官网网址淟ike so many other sectors, libraries have seen significant increases in the costs to deliver our critical services,B次元官网网址� says Joel Adams, VIRLB次元官网网址檚 Director of Finance.

B次元官网网址淲ith 97 per cent of our costs fixed, there is little room for us to shave our budget without negatively impacting our services.B次元官网网址�

The cost of adding to VIRLB次元官网网址檚 collections is subject to annual increases driven by real and market inflation.

In 2023, VIRL will maintain collections expenditures at 13 per cent of its total operating budget B次元官网网址� the same as in previous years. VIRL intends to balance the tension of historically high demand for our digital collections and relatively sustained physical collections usage, with rising collections costs.

B次元官网网址淏udget 2023 reflects VIRLB次元官网网址檚 projected economic operating conditions, including high inflation, increasing demand for services, supply chain challenges, regulatory pressures and the increasingly complex operating realities in the communities we serve,B次元官网网址� says a release from VIRL.

The library will also be working on implementing a new strategic plan, which is addressed in the budget. Visit for more information.

For more information about the 2023B次元官网网址� 2027 Financial Plan, including the full budget package, visit