1. Introduction

The Foundation
The Challenges
The Process

2. The Vision

Philosophy
Basic Library Service defined
Services
Collections
Programs
The Partners

3. The Plan

The Imperatives
Service Directions... how we get there

Service Levels
Collections and Information Resources
Information Access & Delivery
Human Resources
Governance
Multitype Partnerships

4. Funding

5. Recommendations

6. Bibliography

7. Appendices

A: Committee Members

B: Resource Persons

C: 1996 Annual Levies Summary

D: Map of Regional Libraries

Executive Summary

The Review of Regional Libraries Committee was struck in June, 1996 to "review current rural library service in Saskatchewan and to define what this service should look like in the future." Two representatives from each of the seven regional libraries were appointed to sit on the Committee. The report of this Committee will be presented to Saskatchewan Municipal Government.

Out of their meetings, the Committee has articulated the vision of regional library service in the province as follows:

Regional libraries work toward equitable access to information and library materials for all Saskatchewan residents, by working together to reduce the barriers posed by geography, demography, technology, institutional mandates, and physical facilities. Information encompasses the products of creativity and imagination as well as facts and knowledge.

By defining the philosophical principles of basic library service as equitable, cost effective, and based on access to electronic information networks; the Committee has created a new framework for regional library services, while maintaining a strong commitment to rural public library service.
Levels of access are based on new categories of library service levels:

1. home access
2. public access computer
3. local branch library
4. area resource library and
5. regional resource library

These service levels allow communities to choose what is most appropriate to their needs based on what can be achieved with their resources at a given time.

Finally, all patrons will be linked through their Saskatchewan universal public library card.
New services created by multitype library partnerships will allow all Saskatchewan residents access to a comprehensive provincial library network of library services.

Funding recommendations redress ongoing inequities in the provincial funding formula and emphasize these service directions now and into the future.

Service Recommendations

1. That each regional library system implement the five levels of service: home access; public access computer; local branch library; area resource library; and regional resource centre.
2. That a committee of representatives from all levels of library service within the regions be established to recommend standards for facilities, programs, staffing, collections for each of the five levels of library service, and that the committee be coordinated by the Provincial Library.
3. That an action committee be struck within six months to coordinate the planning and implementation of a Saskatchewan universal public library card by the year 2001.
4. That the existing seven regional library systems shall continue during the next five years to provide a stable framework to achieve basic library services.
5. That the Library Board Chairs and Directors investigate possible areas where efficiencies and economies may be achieved co-operatively with various partnerships.
6. That the Provincial Library facilitate an ongoing review of regional library collections, with the goal of implementing a rationalized provincial collection development plan.
7. That the Provincial Database Licensing Working Group be assigned the task of investigating options for the acquisition of electronic library resources, at a provincial level.
8. That regional libraries identify those materials not yet catalogued and determine what minimum level of cataloguing standards is required (in order to provide access to all library materials in library collections). Further, it is recommended that regional library directors be asked to determine the level of standards and make recommendations for how this can be accomplished.
9. That the possibility of implementing a virtual reference service be investigated.

Funding Recommendations

10. Purpose of Provincial Government Funding
    The purpose of annual provincial funding to regional libraries is to support resource sharing at local, regional, and provincial levels.

11. Increased Provincial Government Funding
    
The continuance of the one-province library system in Saskatchewan is essential. Increased provincial funding is imperative to assure realization of the vision and service levels as outlined in this report. Provincial funding for regional libraries must be increased to support the minimum requirements as proposed in the new grant formula.

12. Proposed Grant Formula
    A new grant formula would contain the following components:

1. A core grant of $300,000 plus $2.25 per capita, per region, for the headquarters operations will assist in the infrastructure for resource sharing. No part of this headquarters component can be used to qualify for the materials or staff resource sharing component for the following year.
2. Funding based on the number of paid branch library/bookmobile open hours x $2.00 will recognize resource sharing services to the public.
3. Funding based on 50% of a regional library's collections expenditures, to a maximum of $1.50 per capita, will support resource sharing and will further collection development.
4. All financial figures will be based on audited financial statements. All municipal population figures will be taken from the current Saskatchewan Municipal Directory. Population figures for participating Indian Bands will be taken from the current federal census.
5. In the event that the regional pool is not large enough, the allocation will be prorated to the size of the pool.

13. Phase-In of Grant Formula
    The proposed formula recognizes a phase-in period:
    1. half of the proposed change in the grant to be implemented in the 1997/98 provincial fiscal year;
    2. the remaining half of the proposed change in the grant to be implemented in the 1998/99 provincial fiscal year, thus full implementation is achieved in 1998/99; and,
    3. during the phase-in period the source of the statistics shall be:

       the 1995 material expenditure amount for each region;

       the 1995 paid branch library/bookmobile open hours of each region;

       the 1996 regional grant pool amount level;

       the 1996 universal participation municipal population plus participating Indian Bands for each region.

It is recommended that beginning in the 1999/2000 provincial fiscal year the operating formula be based on the previous year's regional library figures for collections expenditures and paid open service hours.

14. Province-Wide Base Municipal Levy
    The Review of Regional Libraries Committee recommends that regional libraries, working with Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), form a committee to consider the concept of a province-wide base municipal levy to ensure basic library service in local communities.


15. Special Projects Grants
    Special project grants would enhance regional library services and assist regional libraries in actualizing the vision. New money may be distributed for special projects as designated by the Minister. The fifteen service and funding recommendations are presented to Saskatchewan Municipal Government in the belief that they will strengthen the regional library system and provide the blueprint to achieve the vision:

• 1950 North Central Regional Library
  (Wapiti Regional Library)
• 1966 South Eastern Saskatchewan Regional Library (Southeast Regional Library)
• 1967 Wheatland Regional Library
• 1968 Parkland Regional Library
• 1971 Chinook Regional Library
• 1972 Lakeland Library Region
• 1973 Palliser Regional Library

1. INTRODUCTION

In 1996 the Review of Regional Libraries Committee was struck to examine current regional library service and to define how this service should look to the year 2006. The seven regional libraries agreed that there was a need to come together to discuss funding and library services. Each regional library appointed two representatives to sit on the Committee. What follows is the Committee's report which is intended for officials at Saskatchewan Municipal Government.

The Foundation

Beginning in 1950 with the establishment of the first regional library system in north-central Saskatchewan, the province began to shift from a private, random array of libraries to the public, one-province library system. Between 1950 and 1967, library pioneers developed an idea of public library service in rural Saskatchewan that was visionary for its time. Described in The Library Inquiry Committee Report 1967 (p. 11), are the philosophical cornerstones of this system we enjoy today.

Their vision was foresighted:

"If public library service is to meet the needs of space-age man, it must be considered by all levels of government as a significant section of general education. Knowledge is power and the public library is the only agency in modern society equipped to provide extensive informational services to all segments of the population.... Yet, quality library service can be given only by co-operation between local, regional and provincial institutions. Such co-operative measures, coordinated by a library agency on the provincial level, can meet the needs of all citizens of the province."

1953 Provincial Library established - with a strong, central provincial agency providing leadership and support, the foundation of today's system was set in place.

1967 Publication of The Library Inquiry Committee Report was and is still seen as the official birthday of the one-province library idea.

1973 Palliser Regional Library was established and completed the regional library system in the southern half of the province. At the time, it appeared we had arrived at the promised land.

1980 Library Automation Review Committee gave the green light for Saskatchewan public library automation.

1987 Provincial grants to regional library systems were reduced by 10%, and we entered the period of "paradise lost"

1996 Review of Regional Libraries Committee Report outlines new service directions to 2006.

"Information is used throughout in its broadest sense; encompassing the products of creativity and imagination as well as facts and knowledge."

Regina Public Library Mission - comments on Mission Statement.

In the past thirty years; the seven regional libraries, two city libraries, the northern federated library system and the provincial library have refined a system in which local library service is available to all Saskatchewan residents. The 1967 library vision has been realized. However, as we prepare to become informed citizens of the next century, that vision now requires revisiting and reinvention.

The Challenges

The passage of new and revised library legislation in 1996 is one of the elements now challenging the library community to renew itself. The Public Libraries Act, 1996 requires that all Saskatchewan municipalities participate in the public library system - thus strengthening it as a whole. With a stronger public system, The Libraries Co-operation Act, 1996 then enables co-operative library service across institutional jurisdictions encouraging new service partnerships among all communities.

Outside the library community, the same factors influencing other provincial institutions are also challenging the regional library system. Most significantly, the global shift from a resource-based to an information-based economy places libraries clearly at the centre of public demand for new and sophisticated information services. In regional libraries, information is understood in its broadest sense, "encompassing the products of creativity and imagination as well as facts and knowledge" (Regina Public Library Mission - comments on Mission Statement). Finally, the power of electronic information technology is creating tremendous opportunity in rural Saskatchewan.

Alongside the trend of using electronic information technology as an access tool, is the significant demographic trend of people moving out of rural Saskatchewan to the larger towns or out of the province altogether. People are moving for many reasons but the effect on local communities is immediate and urgent. Fewer people result in a smaller tax base; creating an extraordinary tension for regional library services in particular.

Between 1996 and 2006 regional library systems will be called upon to provide access to a growing universe of electronic and other information resources and services. Our challenge is clear. Within this environment of powerful technology, fiscal challenges and universal participation for all residents, regional library systems must create partnerships, seize opportunities, and promote local community solutions to serve our citizens to 2006 and beyond.

Trends in the 90's:

• Aging population, especially seniors over 80 years
• increased aboriginal population, especially in urban areas
• Rising costs at all levels of government
• Unpredictable interest rates
• North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) , Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) de-regulation, globalization
• Government downsizing, privatization
• Reorganization of municipal governments towards amalgamation
• Perceived conflict between urban and rural demands for services
• High technology costs
• Demand for two-way provision of electronic services
• Increase in home-based businesses and self- employment
• Increased demand for life-long learning

The Process

Out of the Advisory Committee to Review the Public Libraries Act and Regulations, came a recommendation that a review of the regional libraries' funding and services, including a recommendation to the public library community for a definition of "basic library service", be conducted. The Review of Regional Libraries Committee (with membership from all regional library systems) was then established with a mandate to work together to define what library services at the community level looks like and needs to look like in the future. The Provincial Library facilitated a series of Committee meetings between June and December, 1996.

Regina Public Library, Saskatoon Public Library and Pahkisimon Nuyeah Library System participated in formulating a recommended definition of "basic library service." This report is one of the outcomes of those meetings and was discussed at regional library meetings in the fall of 1996.

2. THE VISON

Saskatchewan regional libraries will provide equitable access to quality information, services and resources.

The Review of Regional Libraries Committee articulated a definition of "basic library service" to be achieved with the next five years. The definition is based on this vision and the following philosophy.

Philosophy

Basic library service in Saskatchewan ensures equitable library access for all residents. The principles upon which equitable public library services will be built are:

• citizens have the right to access public information resources
• Public libraries have a responsibility to offer cost effective and timely service
• Public libraries may extend their services through multitype partnerships while recognizing the local diversity of each library system
• Co-operation among autonomous library systems is the basis of multitype partnerships
• Libraries work toward equitable access to information and library materials for all Saskatchewan residents by working together to reduce barriers such as geography, demography, technology, institutional mandates, and physical facilities

From
Findings and Recommendations of the Reciprocal Borrowing Committee Report, March 1995.

Basic Library Service Defined

Basic library service is described under the headings: services, collections and programs:

Services

Library systems shall provide equitable access to basic library services across the province by:

• providing individuals with access to library resources through five levels of service: home access, public access computer, local branch library, area resource centre;
  
• providing that a minimum base level of service is available provincially, as outlined in this document, to ensure access to public libraries' resources;
  
• offering the level of service determined locally and defined by individual public access to the province-wide library electronic information system(PLEIS);
  
• developing a Saskatchewan universal public library card to link the individual to this network;
  
• providing public access to local and union catalogues through the province-wide library electron network;
  
• participating in the development of electronic information access as a method of delivering reference and information services;

• working towards electronic patron self-service;
  
• making materials available to the public through direct lending, reciprocal borrowing, interlibrary loans, and other types of home delivery as determined locally; and,
  
• providing appropriately qualified and trained staff to assist the public in the use of library resources and services.

• Each library system will design a process and method for evaluating and assessing local needs on an ongoing basis;

• Items acquired for library collections will include print and other media.These information resources may be current or retrospective;
  
• Libraries will organize, catalogue and classify their collections; and
  
• Each library system will maintain catalogues of information resources and make them accessible to all Saskatchewan residents. This will form the collective public library system; a provincial collection which will be housed and distributed to borrowers at the local, regional and provincial levels

Programs

All libraries shall offer public programs, which are group based activities that meet local needs for cultural, economic, educational and recreational information.

• Programs will include promotion and awareness of library resources; increasing information competencies; exploration and discovery of new ideas; and advocacy of library values

The Partners

The regional public library system is made up of many partners:

Citizens/clients
Municipal governments
Local library boards
Regional library boards
Provincial Library
Provincial government.

• choice
• flexibility
• local community commitment
• equitable access
• electronic resources and
• new partnerships

3. THE PLAN

The Imperatives Achieving this vision of regional library service will require a reorientation for the future. The critical elements underpinning the new plan are:

• All Saskatchewan citizens will have access to basic library services (as defined by the Public Library Act, 1996 and Regulations);
• Communities may choose, from among five service levels, the service level appropriate for their community according to their resources;
• Library service will be as close to the individual user as possible;
• All regional libraries will participate in a provincial electronic information network at all service levels;
• The regional library role will include facilitating resource sharing, directing services, and providing leadership;
• The provincial library role will include coordinating library services and resource sharing at the provincial and national levels.

Service Directions...how we get there

Using the definition of basic library service as a guide, directions for library services in the future become very clear. Service levels defined by staffing, collection size, and electronic information technology combined with opportunities for multitype library co-operation will determine how regional library services evolve in the next five years.

1. to facilitate equitable access to basic library services by all residents of Saskatchewan and
2. to ensure the existence and availability of the Saskatchewan union catalogue, interlibrary loans, reciprocal borrowing and autonomous library boards."

The Public Libraries Act, 1996 S.3(2)

The following categories describe that plan:

Service Levels
Collections and Information Resources
Information Access and Delivery
Human Resources
Governance
Multitype Partnerships

1. Service Levels

Describing regional library service in terms of service levels (as opposed to municipal categories) is a significant departure from past practice. All citizens will have access to basic library service as defined in this report. Access to that service is provided by municipalities, individually or in groups. Choosing their service level according to what is most appropriate for their users and what can be achieved with their resources. All service levels are based on electronic access to a province-wide library information network. Regional libraries will work with the Provincial Library to develop standards for each of the following levels of service:

1. Home access
   Individuals with home computers would access the provincial electronic library information network by dialing from home. Services available would include the ability to place interlibrary loans, placing holds, location information on specialized databases, etc. Materials would then be delivered by appropriate methods. There may be charges for home delivery of materials.
2. Public access computer
   By establishing a computer terminal in a building accessible to the public, such as a municipal office or community building, users would access the same services as those from home without having to have their own computer. Materials could b delivered to that location for pickup by individuals
3. Local branch library
   A library at this level would serve a local community with a small collection of materials, including a minimal reference collection. There would be at least one computer for public access and staff use. A clerk would staff the local branch library. Library programs of local interest would be offered at this level
4. Area resource library
   A library at this level would serve a group of communities within a trading area with a larger diverse collection of resources, including a small reference collection. There would be one or more public access computers and one computer for circulation and staff use. This library would be staffed by a library technician or equivalent. Library programs of area interest would be offered.
5. Regional resource centre
   A library at this level would provide services for the entire region, including system-wide reference support. There would be an extensive collection of library resources, including a substantial reference collection. There would be multiple public access and staff function computers. Services would be directed by a professional librarian with appropriate technical and support staff. A full range of library programs would be offered.
6. Regional library headquarters
   The regional headquarters would coordinate resource sharing at local, regional and provincial levels by directing services and training, by professionally managing collections, by the appropriate delivery of library materials and by providing leadership in the rationalization of services.

2. Collections and Information Resources

A strong underlying base of resources will be needed to support the province-wide regional library system. Strong collections will be based on a comprehensive rationalization of regional library collections done by each library system. As a goal of multitype library services, a province-wide collection development plan will be investigated. Sufficient funding for special needs materials and services must also by part of the collection development strategy.

The strength of this system will also be achieved by creating strategies for local municipalities to add their content to the provincial information network. Not only will all local branches be able to access the Province-wide Library Electronic Information System (PLEIS) network, but information specific to local communities will also be available to everyone else in the province.

This two-way sharing of resources will provide opportunities for the development of community web sites with local economic development information, tourist information, local history, information by and about local authors, community information and many more which will be essential features of the information network.

By sharing collections and information resources on the electronic network, all communities will participate in an interdependent provincial resource-sharing system.

3. Information Access and Delivery

One of the ongoing challenges to province-wide regional library services is the effective delivery of materials to the user. To achieve this service direction, users will need a Saskatchewan universal public library card, access to the provincial electronic information network and a cost effective delivery system to overcome some of the hurdles created by such a widely distributed population. However, a province-wide delivery system which is seamless, timely, cost efficient and responsive, is an essential feature of regional library service in the future.

The levels of access will be a critical component in an efficient delivery system. Any access point could be a delivery point. Materials would be a delivered by appropriate methods. There may be charges for home delivery. Creating new partnerships to keep delivery, cost and time effective, is part of this direction; ensuring that the delivery method is appropriate to the material type and to the user.

From the individual's home access through all service levels including the Provincial Library's link to national and international information sources, vastly expanded information resources will be available to all users.

Components of the province-wide electronic information network will include the virtual union catalogue of all library systems in the province, online access to local, regional, and provincial information databases, electronic document delivery and world wide web access through the Internet.

A Saskatchewan universal public library card will be the individual's link to this system. To fully benefit from the province-wide electronic information network distributed throughout the province, the Saskatchewan universal public library card must be developed and in place by the year 2001.

Reference services can develop in two main directions. Regional library users will be able to answer many of their own information queries using this electronic network. Assisted reference could be accessed through a single virtual reference desk and a toll-free phone line from rural areas. Two-way electronic communication from the basic service point is a prerequisite to this service direction.

Co-operative purchasing of database licenses for the network will ensure the broadest possible access for all patrons. Licenses negotiated by the entire provincial library community including multitype partners, will be cost effective and inclusive.

4. Human Resources

Library staff at all levels must be adequately trained to help users get what they want and need. Whether that is finding the right paperback, or finding information from a web site, staff will need continual training and development. Provincial Library could play a coordinating role and where appropriate, train regional library staff who could then work with local municipalities to train trustees and library staff.

The other area where training will be critical is in education the public about what libraries can do for them. The public needs ongoing education about their library: what services are available, where and how they can be accessed, the costs, and most importantly, the role of the library as information provider.

Governance

Any discussion of the future of regional library service in rural Saskatchewan must re-affirm their existing governance structure. All regional systems will maintain their autonomy as defined in The Public Libraries Act, 1996. Municipalities will enter into agreements "for the purpose of providing public library services within those boundaries." Through their municipality and its appointed library board, residents receive library service thorough the regional library system in which they participate.

Regional libraries, Saskatchewan Library Trustees Association, Saskatchewan Library Association, Saskatchewan Provincial Library, Canadian Library Trustees Association, and Canadian Library Association

Healthy partners are libraries that are able to fulfill their mandated role, conform to the standards appropriate to their sector and are able to meet the needs of their primary clientele.

Municipalities continue to appoint both their regional and local library boards from among their resident electors. "The general management, control and operation of a regional library is vested in a regional library board."

Setting policies, planning services and establishing levies are among the principle functions of these regional boards.

The essential feature of this structure is that a regional library only exists when the regional board has been established by appointments from the electorate at the municipal level. It will function most effectively if trustees receive ongoing training to carry out their role.

Partners for providing the training could include regional libraries, Saskatchewan Library Trustees' Association, Saskatchewan Library Association, Saskatchewan Provincial Library, Canadian Library Trustees' Association, and Canadian Library Association.

6. Multitype Partnerships

The new Libraries Co-operation Act, 1996 encourages and enables all libraries and information providers to formalize service partnerships. From the regional libraries' perspective, multitype partnerships at the local and regional levels must be developed in certain directions in order to provide a consistent, high quality library service throughout Saskatchewan.

By facilitating access to the provincial electronic information network at the local community level, regional libraries can offer potential service partners an infrastructure for their service. The provincial public library system provides a structure for the electronic network.

The purpose of provincial government funding to regional libraries would be to support resource sharing at local, regional and provincial levels.

Public library service includes and educational role for all users; therefore schools and school boards could be strong partners with the local and regional libraries. Other multitype partnerships with universities, colleges, special libraries, community information agencies, health districts and regional economic development authorities are already being developed and will be increasingly necessary.

The multitype library system is envisaged as an interconnection between healthy partners. Healthy partners are organizations that are able to fulfill their mandated role, conform to the standards appropriate to their sector and are able to meet the needs of their primary clientele.

Effective partnerships require a fine balance where communication is open and mutual, and where responsibility is reciprocal. Multitype library partnerships such as the SOUtheast Regional Information Service (SOURIS) project in south eastern Saskatchewan can work when every group is committed to the goal and responsibility is shared equitably.

4. FUNDING

Currently, provincial government funding is non-conditional. By specifying the purpose of the funds, regional library funding becomes conditional. If implemented, the monetary recommendations of the Committee would change provincial government funding for regional libraries. The purpose of provincial government funding to regional libraries would be to support resource sharing at local, regional and provincial levels. Accordingly, this also clarifies the difference in provincial and local fiscal
responsibilities.

1995 Provincial Grant
(expressed as per capita allocation)

• Southeast $6.70
• Wapiti $6.81
• Wheatland $7.26
• Parkland $7.28
• Palliser $8.72
• Lakeland $8.87
• Chinook $0.38

Application of the recommended funding formula would help to address the inequities in the per capita amount of provincial government grant that regional libraries receive.

While the method for distributing the provincial government grant pool for regional libraries is not a per capita allocation, some regional were very concerned about the perpetuation and future magnification of inequities in the per capita amount that they were receiving.

For example, the 1995 breakdown of the government grant by a region's population results in a per capita grant that ranged from a low of $6.70 to a high of $10.38 per capita allocation. The funding recommendations on the following pages reflect the Committee's attempts to redress these inequities.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

Preamble

Developments in electronic information and communication along with interests in inter-organizational co-operation will provide regional libraries the opportunity to enhance their services to all communities in Saskatchewan. Quality library service in rural Saskatchewan will require a renewed financial commitment from provincial and municipal governments.

Service Recommendations

1. That each regional library system implement the five levels of service: home access; public access computer; local branch library; area resource library; and regional resource centre.
   
2. That a committee of representatives from all levels of library service within the regions be established to recommend standards for facilities, programs, staffing, and collections for each of the five levels of regional library service, and that the committee be coordinated by the Provincial Library.
   
3. That an action committee be struck within six months to coordinate the planning and implementation of a Saskatchewan universal public library card by the year 2001.


4. That the existing seven regional library systems shall continue during the next five years to provide a stable framework to achieve basic library services.


5. That the Library Board Chairs and Directors investigate possible areas where efficiencies and economies may be achieved co-operatively with various partnerships.


6. That the Provincial Library facilitate an ongoing review of regional library collections, with the goal of implementing a rationalized provincial collection development plan.
   

7. That the Provincial Database Licensing Working Group be assigned the task of investigating options for the acquisition of electronic library resources, at a provincial level.


8. That regional libraries identify those material not yet catalogued and determine what minimum level of cataloguing standards is required (in order to provide access to all library materials in library collections). Further, it is recommended that regional library directors be asked to determine the level of standards and make recommendations for how this can be accomplished.


9. That the possibility of implementing a virtual reference service by investigated.

10. Purpose of Provincial Government Funding
    The purpose of annual provincial funding to regional libraries is to support resource sharing at local, regional and provincial levels.


11. Increased Provincial Government Funding
    The continuance of the one-province library system in Saskatchewan is essential. Increased provincial funding is imperative to assure realization of the vision and service levels as outlined in this report. Provincial funding for regional libraries must be increased to support the minimum requirements as proposed in the new grant formula.

12. Proposed Grant Formula

A new grant formula would contain the following components:

a) A core grant of $300,000 plus $2.25 per capita, per region, for the headquarters operations will assist in the infrastructure for resource sharing. No part of this headquarters component can be used to qualify for the materials or staff resource sharing component for the following year.

b) Funding based on the number of paid branch library/bookmobile open hours x $2.00 will recognize resource sharing services to the public.

c) Funding based on 50% of a regional library's collections expenditures, to a maximum of $1.50 per capita, will support resource sharing and will further collection development. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d) All financial figures will be based on audited financial statements. All municipal population figures will be taken from the current Saskatchewan Municipal Directory. Population figures for participating Indian Bands will be taken from the current federal census.

e) In the event that the regional pool is not large enough, the allocation will be prorated to the size of the pool.

13. Phase-In of Grant Formula

The proposed formula recognizes a phase-in period:

a)  half of the proposed change in the grant to be implemented in the 1997/98 provincial fiscal year;


b)  the remaining half of the proposed change in the grant to be implemented in the 1998/99 provincial fiscal year, thus full implementation is achieved in 1998/99; and


c)  during the phase-in period the source of the statistics shall be:

i) the 1995 material expenditure amount for each region;

ii) the 1995 paid branch library/bookmobile open hours of each region;

iii) the 1996 regional grant pool amount level;

iv) the 1996 universal participation municipal population plus participating Indian Bands for each region.

It is recommended that beginning in the 1999/2000 provincial fiscal year the operating formula be based on the previous year's regional library figures for collections expenditures and paid open service hours.

14. Province-Wide Base Municipal Levy

The Review of Regional Libraries Committee recommends that regional libraries, working with Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), form a committee to consider the concept of a province-wide base municipal levy to ensure basic library service in local communities.

15. Special Projects Grants

Special project grants would enhance regional library services and assist regional libraries in actualizing the vision. New money may be distributed for special projects as designated by the Minister. The fifteen service and funding recommendations are presented to Saskatchewan Municipal Government in the belief that they will strengthen the regional library system and provide the blueprint to achieve the vision: