Fraser Valley Regional Library Board Response
Public Library Legislation SECOND DRAFT
A White Paper for Public Review -4- May 11, 1993

GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF LIBRARY BOARD

The principles of this clause are now standard for al! types of public libraries. The
Board’s comments here apply to all appearances of the clause in the Act.

(e) The Board is concerned that a five year lease period for library buildings may be
unrealistic.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

(a) The Board believes that the terminology "general supervision and direction" is
inappropriate and should instead emphasize the leadership role of the chief
librarian.

PART 3
REGIONAL DISTRICT LIBRARIES
AND INTEGRATED PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS

The Board opposes this new model of regional library service with the following comments:

1.

The proposal bases the decision for the establishment of a regional library on purely
political boundaries. Many other factors need to be taken into account to establish a
viable service area for regional iibrary service, such as geography, communications and
population distribution and size.

The proposals are very vague as to:

area to be covered by the library;

the role of non participating areas;

the possibilities of expansion of the library;

minimum size requirement;

rights of municipalities to opt in or out;

merging of present library services in a regional district.

Under this proposal, it is possible for a regional district to contain municipal libraries
also possibly offering service to their contiguous rural area, public library associations
and a regional district library covering both mval and municipal areas, offering a
patchwork quilt approach to an important public service.

This proposal seems unnecessary considering the success of regional library districts.

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