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Funding

Funding for public libraries established under the Libraries Act is received from two main sources: a portion of the taxes paid to the municipality in which the library has been established (a per capita rate as determined by municipal council), and provincial funding from Alberta Municipal Affairs.

Public library funding from Alberta Municipal Affairs comes in the form of an operating grant that library boards may apply for annually. To be eligible, municipal library boards must receive from their councils a minimum appropriation of funds as determined by Alberta Municipal Affairs.  Library boards must then complete and submit the Public Library Survey and Annual Report of Public Libraries in Alberta by the end of February each year.

In addition, library boards must submit a financial reporting form package by mid-June. This package consists of:

• a statement of receipts and disbursements for the previous year
• a budget for the upcoming year
• a signed application for financial assistance

You can download these financial reporting forms here.

For help with the Public Library Survey and Annual Report of Public Libraries in Alberta, please visit the Annual Report section of our website. 
 

Grants

There are a number of grants that libraries are eligible to apply for:  

• Community Access Program (CAP) (Federal)
  Funding to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively.  Available to public libraries that are designated CAP sites, these grants are coordinated by The Alberta Library through Peace Library System.
   
• Community Access Program Youth Initiatives (CAP YI) (Federal)
  Funding to provide employment opportunities for young Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 (primarily students, recent graduates, or the under-employed or unemployed).  These grants are available to public libraries that are designated CAP sites.
   
• Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) (Provincial)
  For the construction, renovation or re-development of community public-use facilities.
   
• Community Initiatives Program (CIP) (Provincial)
  Provides funds to enhance and enrich community initiatives throughout Alberta. Libraries may qualify for either the project-based grant or the community operating grant. 
   
• Community Spirit Program (CSP) (Provincial)
  The intent of this grant is to partner with individual Albertans who donate monies to eligible non-profit organizations by providing those organizations with a proportional grant based on the amount of eligible cash donations received. The grant may be used to support operations, programs and capital projects.
   
• Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) (Provincial)
  Library boards may wish to approach their municipality to receive MSI funds for capital or operational projects.
   
• Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP) (Provincial)
  Funding assistance to hire high school or post-secondary students during the summer (May through August).  
   
• Young Canada Works (YCW) (Federal)
  A wage subsidy program to hire students and recent graduates for work experience and internships during the summer.