The county of St. Paul will see a slight increase in its costs for library services next year as the Northern Lights Library System ((NLLS) raises its fee by 1.5 percent for 2025. The adjustment, which will raise the total fee to $35,379.96, represents an increase of $517.44 over the previous year. The per capita fee will go up from $5.39 in 2024 to $5.47 in 2025.
The NLLS is one of Alberta’s seven regional library systems, providing essential services like book delivery, resource sharing, staff training, and administrative support to local libraries. It serves a wide range of communities, including seven First Nations and four Métis settlements, helping libraries access more materials and resources efficiently.
Coun. Maxine Fodness, who sits on the NLLS board, explaining that the regional system enables libraries to operate more cost-effectively, providing services they might not be able to afford on their own. Fodness further noted that the library fee increase was expected, as the NLLS had informed the county last year about its plan to raise the fee by 1.5 percent annually for the next three years through 2027.
During the council meeting on October 8, questions were raised about the basis of the levy increase. Fodness explained that the funding model is tied to population figures provided by the provincial government. However, she acknowledged concerns about the accuracy of those number, stating, “Whenever we go to the province to ask to clarity that population number, the answer is always very vague.”
Despite these concerns, the NLLS is obligated to use the government-provided population data, even if it differs from local counts.
Reeve Glen Ockerman inquired about recent service cuts by the NLLS. Fodness responded that while the NLLS has made some operational adjustments – such as hiring contract drivers and renting out office space to increase revenue – no cuts to library services have been made. She added that staffing levels had been reduced but confirmed that these changes did not affect the services provided to libraries.
Coun. Ross Krekoski noted another cost-saving measure: the shift from in-person to online board meetings, which has helped further reduce expenses.
After addressing these concerns, the county council voted in favor of the fee increase for 2025, ensuring continued access to NLLS services for local libraries.
