The Chemainus library will soon have its hours reduced by almost 25 per cent as VIRL looks to save money and increase efficiency. The new hours go into effect on Sept. 21.
Calling it a “slap in the face”, former North Cowichan councillor Kate Marsh has condemned a recent decision by the Vancouver Island Regional Library to dramatically cut hours at the Chemainus branch.
Effective this weekend, hours of operation at the Chemainus branch have been reduced to 42 hours a week from the current 55. The Library will no longer be open on Sundays and Mondays.
“Given the support from hundreds in Chemainus and its vicinity that went into approving the partnership of the (Municipality of North Cowichan) and VIRL, the proposed closure of that branch two days a week feels like a slap in the face,” Marsh said in a presentation to council on Wednesday.
North Cowichan received a letter from VIRL on Wednesday that outlined the changes that were going to take place in Chemainus and at other branches across the region.
In the letter to council, VIRL’s executive-director Eileen Gilette the changes are being made for financial and efficiency reasons. A review of the Library’s operations was initiated in 2023.
“As a result of this work, VIRL is preparing to implement system-wide changes, including adjustments to operating hours and staffing levels, to support a sustainable and data-informed service model,” Gilette explained.
“The review was launched to address longstanding financial and operational challenges, including persistent underbudgeting and overspending, particularly in branch scheduling and staffing inefficiencies and imbalances in the post-pandemic environment.”
Councillors were told there are plans to hire an additional 30 full-time people within the library system and some branches will have their hours of operation increased. Larger urban branches will continue to be open on Sundays.
Mayor Rob Douglas noted that libraries have taken on a much bigger role in communities in recent years.
“The new library was a big part of the Chemainus revitalization plan,” Douglas said, adding Chemainus appears to be “the most impacted branch at this time.”
The new Chemainus branch opened in January 2020 on the site of the former firehall. The previous branch was located on Legion Street next to the BC Liquor Store. Marsh, who was North Cowichan’s representative on the VIRL board during her time on council, says the decision to partner with VIRL was a sound business move.
“It was supported by the majority of Chemainus residents and neighbouring communities like Saltair, Crofton, Westholme, Thetis and Penelakut Islands as well as Halalt and Tussie,” Marsh said in urging council to lobby VIRL to reconsider its decision.
“I hope you will direct the mayor to write to VIRL board on your behalf asking them to keep this branch open the hours it currently is. After all taxpayers in North Cowichan have forfeited commercial taxes for any future commercial venture that could go on that lot by the land going to VIRL for this use. Why would this library have its access cut by 24 per cent?
“Your taxpayers are supporting this space by forfeiting what could arguably have been retail or commercial businesses on the lot that once contained Chemainus Firehall.”
Coun. Chris Istace told council the Chemainus library is well-used “every single day of the week” and reducing hours will have a significant impact on regular users.
“It’s a community hub and at-risk members of the community who spend their time there will be affected.”
Executive-director Gillette says the changes in Chemainus were difficult but necessary.
“The adjusted hours will bring Chemainus in line with other branches of similar size within our system. This was a difficult decision, made following a thorough analysis of demographics, usage patterns, branch size, and service requirements, while supporting equitable library service across all communities.”