REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SENIORS

FEBRUARY 1, 2002

RTS NO: 2576

CC File No: 3057-2

Council: March 12, 2002

RECOMMENDATION

1. Funding Cuts to the Provincial Audio Book Program

At its meeting on January 25, 2002, the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors discussed the Provincial Government plans to eliminate funding to the Provincial Audio Book Program (approximately $280,000 per year). The Library Services Branch is a provincial department with an audio book taping component that records unabridged cassette tapes of books and provides these taped books free of charge to libraries across British Columbia.

The Library Services Branch provides approximately 50% of taped books to the Vancouver Public Library for Outreach Services, delivered by mail or home delivery to seniors and the visually or physically disabled. For many seniors this service offers a vital link to the community and provides a positive health benefit by stimulating the mind and promoting a sense of emotional well-being and independence.

If provincial funding for this service is eliminated, funding for the purchase of the unabridged talking books will have to come from already tight library budgets or from an increase in funding from the City of Vancouver.

Therefore, it was

RESOLVED

THAT the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors request Vancouver City Council write to Premier Gordon Campbell and the Legislature expressing concern with the proposed funding cuts to the Provincial Audio Book program and the subsequent negative impacts on seniors and the visually or physically disabled in British Columbia and specifically in the City of Vancouver.

"Bruce Chown" "Mary Bosze"

Co-Chair Co-Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS that, in light of Council's motion of January 24, 2002, no action be taken on this particular report at this time, but that it be considered simultaneously with the staff report back regarding the full impact of Provincial cuts and implications on the City's budget process.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver