REGINA, Sask. — Regina Public Library is requesting a 3.99 per cent increase to its general operating mill rate to cover rising costs and growing demand for services, along with an 11 per cent increase to the Central Library mill rate. With borrowing no longer an option, the additional funding will help build a reserve for the new Central Library, which the library hopes to have completed by 2036.
All together, this would add approximately 1.36 per cent to the City of Regina's mill rate, which would cost an extra $3 per month to the average household.
Marj Gavigan, Chair of the RPL Board of Directors, says, “Demand for library services in Regina continues to grow … and with increased demand comes increased need for funding.”
Gavigan says RPL locations saw nearly 1.5 million visits in 2025, with visits increasing by 10 per cent in the first six months of 2026.
Gavigan said that after City Hall voted against debt financing for the Central Library Renewal Project earlier this year, the city’s finance committee presented several options to the RPL administration to consider, which included a mill rate increase that’s actually higher than the one RPL is currently proposing.
“I think we’re responding to their suggestion. We’re trying to be fiscally responsible here.”
RPL’s Executive Director of Finance and Strategy, Curtis Smith, says that their general operating mill rate increase is less than what was projected in their presentation last year.
“If you want the numbers, we asked for 4.33 per cent and now it’s down to 3.99 per cent to try to get that affordability for taxpayers.”
Smith also shared a projected cost for the proposed 2036 Central Library replacement.
“We’ve always said around $150 million. Now, this is 10 years into the future – I think we know what’s happening with costs – so right now we’re modeling around $150-200 million. We'll look at that as the 10 years moves along."
Gavigan says that the RPL needs to continue the conversation about the mill rate with the community, before further plans can be made regarding construction.
Gavigan and RPL Administration expect to present their requests to City Council’s Executive Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
