ST. PAUL – The County of St. Paul will be paying more for library services next year as the Northern Lights Library System (NLLS) increased its library levy by 1.5 per cent for 2025.
This means an increase of $517.44 for a total levy of $35,379.96 next year, up from $5.39 per capita in 2024 to $5.47 per capita in 2024.
The NLLS is among the seven regional library systems across Alberta serving local libraries. Its services include delivery services, book pick-ups or transfers, information services, and the library system also helps train library staff.
NLLS assists libraries with more access to resources, books, and materials, so that libraries do not have to spend a lot of money and time all on their own, explained Coun. Maxine Fodness, who sits at the NLLS board.
The NLLS service includes seven First Nations and four Métis settlements.
The council has been expecting the increase when the NLLS informed the County last year about the 1.5 per cent increases for the next three years until 2027, but some questions were still posed during the council meeting on Oct. 8, such as on what the increase is based.
Fodness said that the funding model for the library system is tied to population numbers provided by the province. “That’s all they get,” she said. “And whenever we go to the province to ask to clarify that population number,” she said the answer is always “very vague.”
In a follow-up with Lakeland This Week, Fodness said the NLLS is obligated to use the number that the government provides, even if it may be different from a municipality’s actual population.
Reeve Glen Ockerman asked if the NLLS cut some services last year.
According to Fodness, the NLLS hired contract drivers to save money. “And they’ve rented out office space at the building, so that’s helping with the revenue.”
Fodness said there were also operational reductions. “They’ve cut the number of staff, but services – no. Not to the libraries.”
Coun. Ross Krekoski said the NLLS also moved away from in-person board meetings. “A majority of them are online now.”
Despite some concerns about the discrepancy in population figures, council ultimately voted in favor of approving the increase.
