Library voices are being raised across Saskatchewan, as implications of the provincial budget cuts continue to sink in.

"It’s not a belt-tightening exercise at 58 per cent. What that represents is a wholesale dismemberment of the regional library system." said James Richards, the Regional Branch Manager for the Southeast Regional Library. "We won’t be able to function without these funds."

"What that represents is a wholesale dismemberment of the regional library system."

He was reacting to news of the Saskatchewan Provincial Budget, which imposes a 58 per cent budget cut on libraries in the province, retroactive to the beginning of 2017. Subsidies for public libraries in Regina and Saskatoon were also cut.

Richards told Discover Weyburn the library is more than just a place where you can borrow a book to read. He listed a number of services provided by the regional library, which ranged from children’s programming, services for seniors, internet services, and much more. 

The diversity of library services was illustrated by a Facebook post Monday morning. "First person in the door of the Melfort Public Library this a.m. 'The Employment Centre sent me here. I'm trying to pay for a background check to get a job. They said I could use the public computers at the library to do that. Can you help me?' This is why the bricks and mortar are important, Minister Morgan and Brad Wall." wrote Penny Markland.

"There’s no real free, open, neutral place in a community like a public library where you can just go, and hang out, and just be." Richards added.

The Southeast Regional Library, which serves 47 communities across the region, relies on money from the provincial government to keep the doors open. With this level of cuts, he hinted it could be tough to do so.

The retroactivity of the cuts doubles down on the bind in which libraries are placed, according to Richards. "We’ve already spent a quarter of our remaining 42 per cent, because we didn’t find out about the cut until the end of the first quarter, so we’re really down to something like 16 per cent to function for the rest of the year."

Leslie Richards plans to fight library cutsAs for how the cuts will affect staffing, Richards was reluctant to say, relaying only that it will be something which will be discussed further in the future. Until then, the regional libraries of Saskatchewan, which Richards explained are an integral part of the community, will be looking for ways to keep the services they offer for as long as they can.

Meanwhile, Richards' wife, Leslie Richards, has begun a campaign to protest against the cuts. She plans a province-wide protest for the end of next week.

"We're going to have a read-in, so drop everything and read." said Leslie Richards. "Friday, April 7th, from 12:00 to 12:30, we're asking everyone to go to your local library, your local MLA's office, and just bring a book and read."

That's not all she has planned. Richards wants to make sure politicians hear what libraries mean to people in Saskatchewan. "I encourage you to write to your local MLA, and let them know what the library means to you, and that you appreciate the service, and you'd like to see them re-fund it." she added.

"You can also CC (copy) the Premier, Brad Wall, and the Minister of Education, Don Morgan. And there's also a petition you can find online. The Facebook group is Support Saskatchewan Libraries." Richards added.

Richards said it is important to show a positive rally, and demonstrate the desire of people to keep their libraries going stronger.