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Library’s interagency loans program restored

May 1, 2017 | 2:20 PM

Life is slowly getting back to normal for the Lakelands Library Region after a long period of uncertainly.

Following the March 22 provincial budget, it was announced regional libraries would see their operating funding slashed by 58 per cent. Such a cut meant Lakelands Library would have to belt-tighten by eliminating staff, cutting programs and services. One such program on the chopping block was the very popular provincial catalogue, or the interagency holds system. The sharing program is a joint system managed by the province’s seven regions, two urban libraries, and the northern library system. It enables anyone from anywhere in the province to request items and have them delivered to their home library.

After a loud public rebuke to the cuts, the province restored all funding to regional library boards on April 24. Libraries were once again able to support the province-wide system.

“We are very grateful to have our funding restored and to be able to resume this service,” Eleanor Crumblehulme, Director of Lakeland Library Region said. “Providing improved access to library collections for people from all communities across the province has long been a goal of Saskatchewan libraries.”