Steinbach City Council has given preliminary approval for a $59,000 top-up to the Jake Epp Library’s annual grant in 2026, helping the community hub cover rising costs while continuing to expand its services. The decision comes after a spring request from the library for increased municipal support. Since then, library staff have been working to diversify their revenue sources and strengthen financial stability. Looking beyond city and provincial grants Alyssa Pankratz, business manager at the library, says the past few months have been focused on broadening how the library brings in money. “We’ve worked in the past few months to diversify our revenue sources,” she explained. “Instead of relying primarily on our grant from the City of Steinbach and our grant from Public Library Services, we’ve started looking at other ways we can bring money in.” One of the biggest changes was raising non-resident membership fees over the summer. Other ideas include merchandise sales and special events. Earlier this year, the library hosted a book sale that cleared out its entire collection of donated books, including popular “mystery bags” that sold quickly. Pankratz says the team is already considering another one. “We don’t want to have the big one going all the time because it loses its sparkle,” she said, “but with the way this one was successful, I think we’ll probably do another one.” Donations and community support While direct donations from the public are not a large revenue stream yet, Pankratz says that’s an area they hope to grow. Contributions are managed through the Friends of the Jake Epp Library, a charitable branch that ensures every dollar raised goes directly back into the library’s programs and resources. “Any donation over $10 is eligible for a tax-deductible receipt, and every dollar donated goes directly back into the library, into resource development, collection development, and community programming,” Pankratz explained. “There’s no admin fee that’s taken off or anything. Dollar for dollar, it ends up back here in your community.” The library also encourages legacy gifts such as estate donations and endowment funds, which can provide ongoing benefits for years to come. Volunteers are another form of community support, helping with everything from programs to events. Applications are available at the library’s circulation desk. Grants fund programs and resources Beyond municipal funding, the library applies for grants to cover specific programs and projects. Pankratz says much of the children’s programming is funded by support from the Healthy Child Coalition and other Southern Health initiatives. This year, the Steinbach Community Foundation provided a grant that allowed the library to expand its collection of Wonder Books, which pair traditional reading with audio narration. Pankratz acknowledges it’s often easier to find grant funding for programming than for operational needs. Programs for all ages Far from being just a place to borrow books, the library has been working to expand its role as a community gathering space. “We have programs for everybody from 18 months to 99 and beyond,” Pankratz said. “Whether you’re into writing or board games or crafts, or for our younger ones, we have programs focused on early literacy, motor skills, and social opportunities before they hit school age. There’s really something for everybody here.” Rebuilding after flood damage Earlier this year, the library dealt with the loss of many adult fiction books due to flooding. Pankratz says replacements have already been ordered and are in-house, though it takes time for staff to prepare them for circulation. Because insurance covered most of the replacement cost, the public does not need to contribute toward that specific need. Merchandise and new ideas The library is also experimenting with new ways to connect with the public. Merchandise such as tote bags, pens, and buttons has proven popular, and a seasonal “fall collection” is coming soon. “We’re also dreaming up some really big ideas for an online merch store,” Pankratz said. “That’s going to have things like t-shirts and hoodies — you know, a cozy reading sweater. Support your local library and get a great sweater to read in at the same time.” A new holiday craft market is also in the works for late November or early December. The event will bring together local makers, offer a silent auction, and give people another way to support the library. Looking ahead For Pankratz, the goal is to make sure the Jake Epp Library continues to evolve with the community’s needs. “If you don’t try, then you never know what the possibilities are,” she said. “We’re looking to get our hands into all the cookie jars and see what works best, and really build awareness with our community of everything we actually do.” She points out that public libraries have changed a lot over the years and embraces the possibilities for further evolvement. With city support expected to increase in 2026 and new revenue streams being tested, library staff say they’re optimistic about the future.