Squamish Public Library is seeking $100,000 in the District’s 2027 budget for an electric cargo van to bring library services beyond its downtown branch.
The proposed capital funding would cover the vehicle, an interior retrofit, an exterior wrap and charging infrastructure, according to the library’s 2027–2036 financial plan memo before council on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The library says the vehicle would help staff service the holds pickup lockers at Brennan Park Recreation Centre and provide outreach and pop-up services across its service area.
Demand for the lockers has been strong, the library says. By mid-September, roughly two months after they opened, almost all the lockers were full on each delivery. Staff service the lockers three times a week, and the return bin is receiving more than 300 items a month.
The library also reported a record 17,302 visitors in August. It says foot traffic rose 30 percent after it expanded opening hours by 15 percent in June.
Other 2027 requests include $20,000 for Library Board laptops and a $4,500 increase to the software budget. The vehicle and other requests are proposals for the budget process; council has not approved them.
