Officials with the Rocky Mountain House Public Library went before council this week to ask for an increase in funding.

M.J. Cole, Chair of the Rocky Mountain House Library Board says, “It’s been challenging the last few years and I finally feel like we’re coming out on the other side of things.”

The Rocky Library is asking for an increase of 3.4 per cent to shared local appropriation from the Town and County in the amount of $337,134.40.

This increase, is said to be in response to increasing expenses in several areas. According to the library, over the past few years while the community struggled with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the library restricted spending in several areas in order to accommodate local financial hardships.

Cole added, this budget aims to replenish the materials budget so the library can continue to grow their collection with a diverse range of materials for the community. Officials say the library’s goal is to anticipate and keep up with the changing needs of the community through growing their collection of materials to ensure the library is full of a diverse range of items that meet the intellectual, recreational, and social needs of the community.

Additionally, officials note the library works to facilitate a variety of services and programs that foster connection, and access to resources and opportunities, all while providing the excellent service that community members rely on.

Councillor Len Phillips said, “Sitting on the library board I was part of the budget discussions when this was put through. A 3.4 per cent increase is just keeping up with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).”  Phillips added he does not see any reason to not approve this.

Mayor Debbie Baich added, “I think it’s very hard to make a budget nowadays with inflation. Baich agreed with Phillips, adding this is needed for the community, and council needs to address it.

At the end of the delegation, a motion was made by council that the information received will go to the budget process.