New Budget means cuts to Sunday services and staff at Richmond Hill, Ontario library

After seeing a smaller than expected budgetary increase, the Richmond Hill Public Library Board has cut three staff positions, three new staff requests, and Sunday services from June 9th to September 1st of this year, YorkRegion.com reports.

Canadian Public Employees Union Local 905 is concerned not only about the staff lay offs but also the impact that cuts to staffing and hours will have on the greater Richmond Hill community. Popular sunday programs, including an ESL cafe where English language learners can meet to practice their language skills, will no longer be provided.

The Library Board had originally requested a budget increase of 5.9% to maintain regular functions, facilitate the opening of a new building for one of the library's branches, and hire three more staff members. Richmond Hill council instead voted to authorize a 2.4% increase, an amount below what the Library Board viewed as necessary to continue existing services, never mind meet increasing demand.