City Council presented with alternative governance model for Lloydminster Public Library

Lloydminster, AB/SK – City of Lloydminster Administration and Lloydminster Public Library (LPL) representatives have explored the process and rationale for transitioning the Library to a municipal library in Saskatchewan and summarized the findings in a report presented to Lloydminster City Council on Monday, June 24, 2024. 

The report explains the current state of the Library as a member of the Lakeland Library Region and what it might look like if Lloydminster’s public library became a municipal library. The sections of the report explain the following: 

“Through the development of this report, the working group comprised of City of Lloydminster and Lloydminster Public Library representatives have suggested to Council that the Library’s unique and complex governance requirements as a bi-provincial operation could be better managed under a municipal model, “says Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “Since its relocation to the Lloyd Mall in 2022, the Library has experienced growing pains as through-the-door visits and collection borrowing have surged beyond our expectations. As a Council, we aim to support this positive momentum and provide the best possible library service for our community.” 

Currently, the Lloydminster Public Library is a member of the Lakeland Library Region, which provides administration, processing and management services to 32 libraries across west-central Saskatchewan. Under the proposed municipal model, Lloydminster’s library director would continue to be responsible for the facility's day-to-day operations, including the management of staff and resources, like the current model. 

If the Ministry of Education approves the boundary change, the Lloydminster Public Library Board may require new bylaws and policies currently developed and maintained by the Lakeland Library Region. Transitioning to a municipal library model will remove the requirement to have representation on either of the Lakeland Library Region boards, and Lloydminster’s library representatives will not be required to attend any Lakeland meetings. 

Operationally, the Lloydminster Public Library will not be impacted by the change. By remaining within the Saskatchewan library system, the same services will be offered to patrons through the province-wide inter-library loans system and resources will continue to be shared to other libraries and patrons within the province.  

Background 

The City of Lloydminster provides an annual operating grant to the Lloydminster Public Library, which is subject to City Council approval. In 2024, the Library’s operating grant from the City was just over $1.2 million, 76% of its annual operating revenue. Lloydminster’s public library currently provides audited financial statements to the City every year in March as per the agreement between the two parties. Lloydminster Public Library manages its budget and finances internally, with approval from its Board. 

Additionally, the Library receives grant funding from the Government of Alberta for the Alberta population of the City of Lloydminster. The current year’s funding received by the Government of Alberta was $119,000.Funding for Lloydminster’s Saskatchewan residents is provided by the Government of Saskatchewan and is distributed directly to the Lakeland Library Region. If the Lloydminster Public Library becomes a municipal library, the grant funds from the province of Saskatchewan will be provided directly to the library.