Georgian Bluffs is looking at a tiny increase in the amount it pays to the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library.
Chief librarian Judy Armstrong presented the library’s budget for 2010 to council last week.
The budget is up by 0.3 per cent to over 1.3 million dollars — but the amount of municipal support required is unchanged at 1.2 million.
Georgian Bluffs’ share of the budget is 22.2 per cent and based on membership ratio.
The base cost to the township is over 267 thousand dollars — but the amount is reduced by its share of a provincial library grant.
Georgian Bluffs is actually looking at a cost of about 250 thousand dollars.
Armstrong says the library was able to achieve these numbers without reducing its staff or its current level of service.
But she notes the new book budget for 2010 is down as a result.
Armstrong feels it’s a worthy sacrifice to keep the library’s operations at the same level — it’s open seven days and 71 hours per week.
Mayor Alan Barfoot says council appreciates the efforts of Armstrong and the library board to keep costs down while maintaining its excellent service.