Greater Victoria Public Library 2026 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan (Correspondence)
Letter to Mayor and Council submitting the GVPL 2026 budget and explaining the requested funding increase.
November 27, 2025
Mayor and Council Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue View Royal, BC V9B 1A6
Dear Mayor Tobias and Council:
Re: Greater Victoria Public Library 2026 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan
The Greater Victoria Public Library respectfully submits its 2026 Operating Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan for 2026-2030. As per the terms of the Library Operating Agreement, approval by council resolution is required by May 1, 2026.
The overall system-wide municipal funding increase requested for 2026 is 8%.
The Town of View Royal’s share of the 2026 requisition is $723,182 (7.6%). This is based on converted assessment values and population of your municipality, including rental adjustment. A detailed breakdown of each member municipality’s individual contribution is provided on pages 7 & 8 of the enclosed budget package. Budget drivers include salaries and benefits, library materials, building occupancy costs and other factors which are described in the attached 2026 budget notes.
As a core frontline service, GVPL is committed to supporting the overall health and well-being of our community amidst unprecedented pressures to adapt and respond to increasingly diverse needs and the challenges facing the most vulnerable. We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our community by providing safe and inclusive spaces for all. Serving ten municipalities and more than 370,000 citizens, we deliver services through twelve branches, online platforms, and community outreach.
In difficult economic times, the public library becomes a lifeline – a place where people turn for learning, digital access and a sense of connection when they need it most. GVPL is proud of the work we do to strengthen communities. We look forward to sharing with you highlights of this past year and our plans for the future as outlined in GVPL’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.
Sincerely,
Shahira Khair Board Chair
Maureen Sawa CEO
cc: Scott Sommerville, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of View Royal Dawn Christenson, Chief Financial Officer, Town of View Royal Melina Barnes, Assistant Director, Finance, Greater Victoria Public Library
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