"Devastating" is the word that Victoria Utman, Children's Program Coordinator for the Estevan Library, used to describe the impact that the recent provincial budget will have on local libraries. The 58% cut that was handed down on March 22, 2017, came as a complete shock to members of the Southeast Regional Library.

"It took all the Saskatchewan libraries by surprise. We were not informed about the severity of the decreases. We weren't even notified that there would be budget cuts."

The province wide impact will undoubtedly be felt here in the Southeast. Some local programs and services that will be affected include inter-library loans, children's reading programs, as well as the ability to purchase new books, magazines, and DVDs. Also, support services such as public access computers and digital resources such as online streaming and downloadable newspapers are in jeopardy. 

The Estevan Library is running a photo campaign to highlight the importance of the local institutions. Visitors are encouraged to take their picture in front of the "My Library Matters to Me" sign and write a short sentence that explains why libraries are an important resource to have. These pictures are then uploaded to the library's Facebook page and shared with Premier Brad Wall and MLA Lori Carr.

Residents are also asked to write to their local MP and MLA representatives to express their opinions of local libraries, and a petition is available at the library for residents to sign.