Our View: Libraries could use some more local advocates

May 23, 2022

When the province recently announced new funding for library systems across B.C., the second-highest funding amount was set aside for the Vancouver Public Library (VPL). The third highest was for Surrey’s library network.

The highest was for the Fraser Valley Public Library (FVRL), which includes the libraries in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge, along with their neighbours in Langley, Abbotsford, Mission, Delta, and up the Fraser Canyon as far as the little branch in Boston Bar.

FVRL serves more people than any other library system in the province. It has more than 700,000 people living in its service area – and that number comes from a few years ago. With the explosive growth of most of its communities since the start of the pandemic, FVRL has even more people, and more cardholders, than ever before.

The libraries are busy, expanding, and beloved by many of their users.

Source: Maple Ridge News