The Saskatoon Public Library Board of Trustees meets Wednesday afternoon and will receive a few letters, from citizens concerning the planned new central library. One is about the funding plan, another questions the need for a physical library; two concern the decision by the board to choose an out-of-province design team.

One of those was from the business organization, NSBA. Their letter from Executive Director Keith Moen says, “The NSBA concurs with the views shared by our peers in the Saskatoon Construction Association and others.” The letter says that the tax dollars that SPL is spending have been raised and paid for through local means. Furthermore, it says local firms have the ability to deliver world-class design expertise.

To that, the library responded that the procurement guidelines in the New West Trade Partnership agreement explicitly prohibit the protection of local suppliers, which means Saskatoon-based firms cannot receive preference.

The library goes on to say that about 45 per cent of the $4.8 million design contract is set aside for sub-consultants, consisting of mostly local firms.