The Sundre Municipal Library continues to be a “strong asset to Mountain View County,” a two-person delegation told the county's policies and priorities committee on Oct. 1.
Library representatives Karen Tubb and Jean Jickling gave the committee an update on the library's recent activities and upcoming plans.
Tubb and Jickling both said the library is a gathering place for town and county residents of all ages and backgrounds, as well as a widely-used resource in terms of education programs, computer use, art exhibits, book borrowing and other things.
Councillors also received a report prepared by library manager Jamie Syer, who was unable to attend the Oct. 1 committee meeting.
The library serves a county population of 3,383 and a town population of 2,695, said Syer.
“We would ask you to give this (population totals) consideration during upcoming discussions regarding the memorandum of agreement between the county and the Town of Sundre,” he said. “In 2014, the Town of Sundre's direct grant to the library was $96,983 and from the county, $35,962.”
The library has made a request for a four per cent funding increase from the Town of Sundre for 2015, followed by an additional two per cent in 2016.
The library has not yet made a funding request to the county for 2015.
“We are making plans to expand our fundraising activities directly towards local individuals, businesses and corporations,” he said. “We have applied to establish the library as a CRA charitable organization, which we feel will provide further encouragement to those who wish to donate to the library.
“We are certain that council recognizes the significant difference the Sundre library makes in the lives of those who live in Mountain View County.”
