Our Library
The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) has evolved from its humble beginnings as a Literary Institute and library for mill workers in a meeting room, and then reading room at the “Y” in the 1800’s, into the third largest public library system in Canada. A library system that host exceptional collections, services and technologies at its 22 branches located in communities throughout the city, as well as an extensive virtual library.
As one of the more than 370,000 VPL card holders I am grateful to the women, and men as well as organizations that helped to make our library system what it is today. Some of these are recognized on the VPL website – http://www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca and on plaques in the main library and branches. There are of course many others that contributed anonymously, or in ways that aren’t always recognized. I count among these our dedicated library staff and library board members.
Although I don’t always agree with decisions our Library Board makes, I appreciate the respectful way they receive delegations and allow individuals to comment on issues before they are decided.
VPL Board meetings are held monthly and members of the public and delegations are welcome to attend. You and may also speak at a VPL Board or Committee meeting if you follow the procedures set out at: http://www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/about/details/delegations_to_committee_and_board_meetings. The VPL Board agendas can be accessed at: http://www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/about/cat/C34
“Books are lighthouses erected in the great sea of time”
- E.P. Whipple
The Vancouver School Board is made up of nine trustees who are elected every three years to provide governance and democratic stewardship of one of the most diverse public school systems in Canada.
We entrust to them the mission of enabling each student in Vancouver to reach their intellectual, social, aesthetic and physical potential in challenging and stimulating settings which reflect the worth of each individual and promote mutual respect, cooperation and social responsibility.
Of course there are extraordinary and complex challenges associated a large, urban and multicultural school district that includes some of the most affluent and impoverished urban neighbourhoods in the country. A school district that provides education services to more than 100,000 students. 56,000 of these students attend elementary and secondary schools, 48,000 attend Continuing Education programs, and the remainder distributed learning and adult Education programs.
Unfortunately our Provincial Government, despite its campaign promises and public rhetoric continues to make meeting these challenges more difficult, if not impossible for our Trustees. Since 2002, and even during years of record surpluses, the provincial government has consistently underfunded the Vancouver public school system, which forced our trustees to cut a total of $47 million in services to students.
The provincial government would also have us believe that since they increased per pupil funding each year, our trustees must be mismanaging the funding they are receiving. What the government doesn’t tell us is that the increases in per-pupil funding do not come close to covering inflation and the costs imposed on our school district by the government. Costs like the provincially negotiated salary increases; pension plan contributions; MSP premiums; carbon emission reporting; and carbon-offset purchase requirements.
If you agree that the provincial government should stop playing political football with public education and start funding it properly, please go to: http://www.vsb.bc.ca/advocacy . There you will find information about how you can help our Trustees ensure all students in Vancouver have access to the resources and opportunities they need.
Mike’s Communities Blog – Park Board
The redesign of my website allowed for the creation of ‘Mike’s Communities Blog’ . I hope you will find it of interest.
My communities encompasses where I live ( Vancouver and it’s West End), as well as familial, social, and activist communities. However my main focus will be on community politics – Vancouver’s civic governments and democratic institutions. These include our Park Board, Library Board, School Board, City Council, Metro Vancouver Board, and Translink (although thanks to our Provincial Liberal government, Translink is no longer a democratic institution).
Since these bodies were established to provide democratic stewardship of the works and/or services which are essential to our quality of life, I believe that we as citizens must keep our political representatives as accountable as possible between as well as during elections. To that end, I think it is important to know a bit about these institutions and how they operate. So I will try to highlight one of these institutions in each of my first six postings. I also welcome your comments on these and other posts.
