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Before today, Regina library users had their pick of any book in the province thanks to Saskatchewan’s interprovincial library system.
But effective Tuesday morning, those electronic borders closed, as fallout from the provincial budget continues.
Regina Public Libraries (RPL) explained that, unless it was already in transit, a request for an item from another Saskatchewan library won’t be filled.
“With a single stroke of its red pen, the provincial government has closed the borders between libraries in this province,” Sean Quinlan, chair of the RPL board of directors, said in a news release.
“What was once a nationally-recognized system of sharing and efficiency is no longer sustainable.”
RPL reported 693,000 holds were filled between Saskatchewan libraries in 2016.
“This system provided free access to learning, literacy resources and entertainment regardless of where people chose to live,” Quinlan said. “By closing off resources available to smaller centres, the government has created a two-tiered system of library services in the province.”
RPL said it’s currently reviewing its budget and determining how customers who live outside of Regina can access its materials. For example, it said Regina’s Sunrise Branch is accessed by hundreds of people from the surrounding area.
“Regina Public Library has to narrow its focus and limit sharing of resources with other parts of the province,” Quinlan continued. “As much as we don’t want to limit access to these loyal customers, we may have to.”
RPL said interlibrary loans – the system used to provide access from materials across Canada – will continue at Regina’s libraries. But it’s not equipped to manage the volume of materials once shipped throughout Saskatchewan.
Reciprocal borrowing, which allows residents to use any public library in the province, will also continue for RPL.
Library users won’t be able to place holds on items from other libraries beginning April 10.
The library is hosting two information sessions about the effect of the provincial budget cuts on Regina and Saskatchewan libraries. Those are scheduled for April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Central Library mezzanine.