Together with Mayors David Kogon, Murray Scott and Greg Henley, Cumberland Public Libraries (CPL) Chair Dale Fawthrop is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached on the provision of additional financial resources for Cumberland Public Libraries, for fiscal year 2024/25 resulting in the restoration of all previously provided services at all branches of CPL.
The Municipality of Cumberland along with the Towns of Amherst and Oxford have agreed to provide one time bridge funding in the amount of $ 67,335 for the 2024/25 fiscal year. The Government of Nova Scotia has also contributed $37,700, bringing the total to $105,035. The agreement will also see CPL use its internal reserve funds to round out the additional resources being accessed. The reserve transfer requirement is currently estimated to be $55,000.
The additional, one-time municipal bridge funding is being provided in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding between the municipalities and CPL that details the contributions and commits CPL to restoring the recently announced reduction in library services at a number of branches. As well, the parties have committed to a review of finances, operations and services at CPL, with recommendations for improvements in sustainability due by September 30, 2024.
All parties to the agreement are pleased to have been able to work collaboratively to provide this bridge funding as well as a process which is intended to provide a path to long term, sustainable and affordable core library services in the region. The parties also wish to acknowledge and thank the Province of Nova Scotia for their contribution of bridge funding.