M.D. OF BONNYVILLE – The Glendon Public Library is asking the M.D. of Bonnyville to continue its financial support in 2027, saying the funding is important to keeping the doors open, programs running and books on the shelves.

Glendon Public Library Board Vice-Chair Heather Pshyk and Library Manager Carla Paton appeared before council on October 13 to make their case for continued funding.

The library is requesting $16,000 in direct funding from the M.D., plus $7,074.14 through its Rural Services Grant allocation, to maintain its current services and continue adding to its collection.

The request comes as the small-town library works to serve not only Glendon residents, but families and individuals from surrounding rural communities.

More than just a place to borrow books

The Glendon Public Library currently operates between 15 and 20 hours per week, offering books, resources and community programming.

And its reach extends well beyond the village.

According to information presented to council, the library has 117 registered patrons from the M.D. of Bonnyville, who have accounted for 632 library circulations so far this year.

Another 164 patrons are registered from Glendon itself.

Library users also come from Bonnyville, St. Vincent, St. Lina, Iron River, Mallaig, St. Paul and several other surrounding communities.

The library says those numbers show that it’s providing a service to rural residents who might otherwise have to travel farther to access library resources and programming.

But borrowing books is only part of the story.

Over the summer, the Glendon Public Library hosted 16 programs and events, bringing community members together for educational, cultural and recreational activities.

For a small community, the library also provides a place for residents of different ages to connect, learn and spend time together.

Where the funding goes

The library’s proposed annual budget totals $59,835.14, with funding coming from several sources.

The Village of Glendon contributes $20,000, while a provincial operating grant provides another $11,761.

The library also budgets $2,500 in fundraising and donations, along with $2,500 in program revenue.

The requested M.D. contribution and Rural Services Grant allocation make up a significant portion of the remaining funding.

Much of the library’s spending goes toward keeping staff in place.

The proposed budget includes $22,000 for the library manager and another $17,000 for assistant management and employee wages.

Other expenses include library materials, technology, supplies, professional development and community programming.

The library has budgeted $6,441.14 for books and other materials, along with $2,500 for community programs.

With a relatively small operating budget, maintaining consistent funding is important to keeping those services available.

Funding request heads to budget discussions

During the presentation, the library representatives emphasized that M.D. residents are already using the facility and benefiting from its services.

The request is about maintaining that access rather than launching a major new project.

Council received the delegation’s presentation and referred the funding request to its upcoming 2027 budget deliberations.

No funding was approved at the October 13 meeting.

For now, the Glendon Public Library will continue operating with its current hours and programming while waiting to learn whether the M.D. will maintain its financial contribution next year.