More resources are going into local libraries.

On Wednesday, the Okanagan Regional Library board approved its 2017 financial plan, including  a 1.98 per cent hike to the budget.

香蕉视频直播淚f the budget is less than two per cent, I go 香蕉视频直播榊ay,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� said Catherine Lord, board chairperson.

There香蕉视频直播檚 an overall net increase of $362,346 or total expenditures of $18,691,342.

The tax impact will vary among , with a community香蕉视频直播檚 contribution based half on population and half on assessments.

Lord describes the document as a cost of living budget that allows ORL to maintain its services while preparing for the future.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 an almost two per cent increase in union contracts and there香蕉视频直播檚 staff training,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Much of the training focus is expanded technology within the library branches.

香蕉视频直播淭he services are more varied than they used to be,香蕉视频直播� said Lord.

Besides the budget, board members and administration also tackled the agency香蕉视频直播檚 strategic planning process.

Lord believes the process is allowing staff to become more involved in the library.

香蕉视频直播淭he while tenure of the library has changed. The culture of the staff has changed,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淎ll of the staff are feeling more empowered and they can come forward with recommendations.香蕉视频直播�