COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Library Board is seeking a budget increase to support its growing services. The board highlighted successes, challenges, and its community impact during a recent presentation to City council.
During the Oct. 8 regular council meeting, the board outlined the need for additional funding due to rising staff costs, increased library use, and security concerns, while emphasizing the library’s ongoing role as a welcoming and inclusive space for all residents.
The Cold Lake Library Board presented its annual budget request, outlining the library’s accomplishments, challenges, and plans. The presentation was led by Cold Lake Library Board chair Crystal Wolvengrey, alongside board member Dawit Worku and Library Director Leslie Price.
They shared insights into the library's impact on the community, its partnerships, funding sources, and the formal request for a budget increase.
"The Cold Lake Public Library still remains to be a free place for everyone to discover, create, share ideas and information," said Wolvengrey.
She began by reaffirming the library’s mission and highlighted the library’s ongoing role as a “progressive, trusted centre, reflecting our diverse community.” She also spoke of recent programs that engaged residents, such as the Reading Garden event, which attracted over 180 people, and the popular "Battle of the Books," which is an annual event that schools and library staff eagerly support.
The Cold Lake Library partnered with various organizations throughout the year to enhance its services, securing $21,255 in donations and grants from local corporations.
The library actively seeks funding partnerships to support special projects, heard council.
One significant collaboration highlighted during the presentation was the newcomer station, which received support from a provincial grant. Worku, reflecting on his experience as a newcomer to Cold Lake, emphasized the importance of the library in community integration, saying, “We’re encouraging people to stay within the community because we’re allowing them to engage. We are encouraging inclusivity as well.”
The library's request for a budget increase was rooted in the need to maintain expanded services. Wolvengrey explained, “The reason for this request . . . we were operating off of a surplus last year where we did not request an increase. We have gone through the surplus.”
The library is asking for increase in the City’s contribution from $772,242 to $802,092. This increase is necessary due to rising staff costs and to maintain two staff members at each branch.
Council also addressed the library’s concerns regarding security. Mayor Craig Copeland raised questions about the safety measures in place, and Wolvengrey responded by acknowledging recent incidents that affected both staff and patrons.
“It’s a matter of the safety for the staff, not only physical but also the mental health aspect as well,” she said. To mitigate these concerns, the library has implemented measures such as ensuring two staff members are on duty at all times.
Price added that adjustments, like a 30-minute limit for computer use and issuing no-trespassing orders, have led to a noticeable improvement.
"I've gone from getting a phone call at home every single night for about two months to not getting one in the last 10 days," she said.
Price also discussed the ongoing issues with public access to washrooms, particularly at the North Library branch. She noted that the washrooms had been frequently misused, and after an incident involving a staff member, the library decided to no longer allow bathroom access.
As the meeting wrapped up, Copeland indicated that council would review the library’s request as budget discussions take place.
