‘Really good day for libraries’ says Wapiti Director on cut reversal
In a massive budgetary reversal, the provincial government is walking back it’s funding cuts for Saskatchewan libraries.
After a wave harsh criticism and protests, the government announced Monday it would restore funding to Saskatchewan libraries at 2016 – 17 levels, admitting the initial move was a ‘mistake’. The change will provide $4.8 million in additional funding to the $3.5 million that was announced in the budget. It is also expected the One Card, One Province system will be restored.
“Premier Wall has always said that we would be the kind of government that would admit its mistakes and then fix those mistakes,” Education Minister Don Morgan said in a statement. “There were many necessary, difficult decisions taken in this budget, however, the reductions in library funding without giving libraries the tools to meet the new challenge was a mistake.”
Prince Albert’s Wapiti Regional Library, who prior to today’s announcement was to be faced with a 58 per cent slash to their $1 million funding grant, were “thrilled” at the announcement.