Frequently Asked Questions About Reduced Funding to the Collection in 2009

The Community Update: 2009 Library Funding update on the GVPL website states that collection spending will be reduced.  What does this mean?

While there will be less new material overall, the Library will continue to offer bestseller and high-interest adult fiction in regular print, large print, mass market paperback and audiobook formats.  The Library will also continue to offer some popular non-fiction materials such as travel guides, computer books.  All materials, including DVDs and CDs, that were ordered prior to the decision to reduce the materials budget will be received.  
In addition, the Library is committed until the end of 2009 to receiving some materials regularly; these are called “standing orders”.  The majority of standing orders are magazines, newspapers and annual publications.   They also include world languages, children’s and teen paperback series, e-resources and Library-to-Go.

Will we still get the bestsellers and blockbusters that we might not have ordered yet?

There is very limited funding to purchase copies of highly popular items, including newly-released DVDs.  We will do our best using the available funding to obtain these bestsellers and blockbusters.

Why is the Library receiving new, less widely-popular materials when collection funding has been reduced?

Some materials are purchased as part of a grant or donation to increase the Library’s holdings in a particular subject area.  The Library cannot alter the specified terms of a grant or donation.  
In 2009, the Library received grants for:  legal materials; children’s world languages; Stories-to-Go; video games; and audiobook CDs (to replace titles previously in cassette format).  The Playaway language learning collection and MP3s for Talking Book clients were also purchased using donated funds.  Furthermore, individuals and agencies provided funds for books on public relations and marketing, nature and astronomy, art, children’s picture books and the Talking Book collection. 

The number of holds on certain items has increased significantly. What can be done?

The economic downturn has meant more people are turning to libraries to obtain books, music and DVDs for both information and entertainment.  To help meet this demand, some funds are targeted for the remainder of 2009 to purchase extra copies of popular items. 

How can we maximize use of the collection?

To help increase the availability of the collection, the Library has reduced the number of days an item remains on the hold shelves from 7 days to 5 days, effective October 15th. The Library will also be adding more donated materials to its collection.   

Why has the “Suggest a New Title” service been suspended?

As we do not have the funds to purchase requested items, the “Suggest a New Title” service has been temporarily suspended until March 2010.

Who should I contact for more information?

For general inquiries, please use the online feedback form or complete a print, general suggestion form (available at all branches).
If you have specific questions or feedback about collections, please contact Lynne Jordon, Deputy CEO/Director of Strategic Development at 250-413-0354, by email at ljordon@gvpl.ca or send a letter to the Greater Victoria Public Library, 735 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC V8W 3H2.