By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
RM of Corman Park councillors passed a motion at their March 31 meeting to approve a $300 one-time donation to the Delisle Branch Library, which is facing a “serious budgetary deficit” in 2026 that could lead to cuts in services and/or hours of operation.
In a letter to council, Delisle Branch Library board chair Susan L. Bayne stated the Delisle Library is part of the Saskatchewan Integrated Library System and provides free access to a province-wide array of materials and digital resources. “We also offer special programming; host events; showcase artistic, cultural and educational displays and serve as the local archives,” she said.
Bayne noted that since 2020, the Saskatchewan minimum wage has increased almost 30%, and other costs have increased “commensurately.”
Also, despite repeated lobbying efforts by various groups, provincial funding has increased by less than 5%.
Though they have doubled the number of fundraisers they hold and are sourcing other grants, the library experienced a $623 operating deficit in 2025 and is anticipating a $2,900 deficit this year, which is roughly equivalent to 10% of their total operating budget.
Bayne noted that while they do have a number of dedicated patrons who donate their time and money to the library, regulations preclude them from acting as unpaid librarians.
For that reason, the library requested the RM to start making an annual contribution of at least $300, on the basis that approximately 148 Corman Park residents use Delisle as their primary library.
After confirming that the Delisle Library receives most of its funding from the Town of Delisle, Division 6 Councillor Steven Balzer (who sits on the Osler Library board) indicated he was “struggling” with the request.
On one hand, he acknowledged $300 was not a lot of money, and these smaller libraries are utilized to a “surprising” degree. On the other hand, this library exists mostly as a Town of Delisle asset, and now they were coming to the RM for money.
“Certainly, I fully support the library system and keeping it alive, but I raise my concern about trickling money out and not encouraging or pushing each of those boards to find ways to collect funds and money to keep themselves viable,” he said.
Division 5 Councillor Arthur Pruim also expressed his concern about giving the library a recurring donation if there was no cap on the amount being given, as that could result in the RM’s contribution being upped to $1,000 or $2,000 by another future council.
Division 8 Councillor Wendy Trask put forward the motion to give a $300 one-time donation, adding that other libraries have asked the RM for money and they likely need to re-examine the matter in the future.
Pruim and Reeve Joe Hargrave voted against the motion, while the rest of council was in favour.