It seems as though the Ste. Anne Library may not have to close its doors after all. 

A few weeks ago, the Ste. Anne Library board announced they would potentially have to close the library due to an $8,000 funding cut to an already tight annual budget of $71,000. In the last two weeks, the board made presentations to both the Town and the RM of Ste. Anne to ask for additional support as the number of patrons to the library has increased significantly in recent years. Following Wednesday night's council meeting, the RM of Ste. Anne has announced they will increase their annual funding to the library from $10,000 to $15,000 for 2018 and 2019 and re-evaluate in 2020 to see if that is still appropriate. 

"I think council is likely going to look at this favorably. The library is a great asset for any community and we think that the RM of Ste. Anne is going to make sure that we're not going to stand in the way of them carrying on," says Reeve Art Bergmann. 

Ste Anne Library board, along with supporters, presenting at Wednesday's RM of Ste. Anne council meeting

He adds they have realized that about 42% of the patrons who visit the library are from the RM and have now updated their funding formula to accommodate that. In previous years, the municipality gave $50 per household for the approximately 200 families who use the Ste. Anne library. Now, they have changed that to $60 per household based on the approximately 250 families who use the library every month. Bergmann notes that also applies to residents of the RM of Ste. Anne who use the Jake Epp Library in Steinbach. Once residents purchase their membership, they can bring their receipt to the municipal office and they will be refunded $60 of the cost of the membership. 

Meanwhile in the Town of Ste. Anne, council has not yet announced their decision but Mayor Richard Pelletier says the library does great work in their community and adds it's not something council wants to see close down. 

"Michelle and her team they work really hard to bring it back up and have more attendance. Their passion is really strong and the work is well done. It is struggling financially, but we are looking at it but we are going to help and work hard to keep the library open. We're going to do our best to help them there's no doubt about that. It's our responsibility, we'll take responsibility on that and we'll look into working with the RM to provide (for the library) and to keep it alive."

The Town of Ste. Anne says they will announce their decision at their next council meeting on April third.

Read More: Ste. Anne Library At Risk Of Closing