Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library may reduce hours due to funding shortage

The chief librarian at the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Librarydoesn't want to closeone extra day a week, but it just might come to that.

Eric Stackhouse says libraryfunding has been frozen for six years. He's heard rumours that the provincial government's April budget won't have any new money for provincial libraries.

This will impact everything from book buying, to services andstaffing.

"Over the past six years we've lost three full-time positions due to attrition," Stackhouse told CBC News. "The book budgets are too low. Literacy programs are cut. Cutting staff is the only place left to recover costs."

Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library isa collection of seven library branches, two rural access sites and a virtual library.

The Nova Scotia provincial budget is expected to be released on April 19.

'A disconnect' for funding

In larger cities like Halifax, the city pays for roughly two-thirds of the library costs andthe province one-third. Outside of Halifax the ratio is flipped. The province pays approximately 71 per cent, the municipality funds someand the board fundraisesthe rest.

Despite the shortfall, the need for libraries being used ascommunity hubs is as acute as ever.

"There's a disconnect between providing new buildings and then not funding the programs or staff that run them," he said.

Stackhouse hasbeen part of three task forces in the past 16 years that produced reports about library funding and he says nothing was ever done with therecommendations. He says he keeps the government well aware of all the efficiencies and cost-cutting measures they've adopted.

"I'm at a loss to solve the problem," Stackhouse said, noting the region has a shortfall of $50,000.

"It's not much, but it makes a huge difference to us."