For media inquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Fehr
Manager of Marketing & Communications
jfehr@fvrl.bc.ca
604.859.7141 x 7021
March 26, 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
MURIEL ARNASON LIBRARY TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE FOR RENOVATIONS
Township of Langley, BC — Muriel Arnason Library will be temporarily closed, Sunday, April 5 through Monday, May 18, 2026, as Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) undertakes renovations to improve and refresh the space for visitors.
The six-week project is an extension of restoration work following a flood at the library in early February. “This renovation allows us to not only restore the library but also refresh the space for our community,” said Heather Scoular, FVRL’s Director of Customer Experience. “With updated flooring, shelving, and paint, we’re taking the opportunity to make improvements that will help create a more welcoming and functional library for everyone.”
During the closure, the library’s return slot will be unavailable. Customers are asked to hold onto borrowed items or return them to any other FVRL location.
All holds scheduled for pickup at Muriel Arnason Library during the renovation will automatically be transferred to Murrayville Library. Customers who would prefer another pickup location can update their preference through their online library account or by contacting library staff.
While Muriel Arnason Library is closed, customers are encouraged to visit other nearby FVRL locations to browse collections, receive help from staff, attend programs, and access library services.
For updates on the renovation and library services, please visit www.fvrl.ca.
-30-
March 5, 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY ANNOUNCES LAST RESORT LOCKOUT AVERTED
Abbotsford, BC - We are extremely pleased to share the good news that we have reached a tentative agreement with the Union this morning for a renewed collective agreement, subject to ratification by the membership and by FVRL’s Board.
In an effort to avoid a last resort lockout, we shared with the Union a new bargaining proposal yesterday that they have now accepted. Our proposal, consisting of a four-year term with a total wage increase of 13% over four years (4% in 2025, 3% in 2026, 3% in 2027, and 3% in 2028), worked to address the Union’s stated concern with the third year wage increase while also working to address FVRL’s stated concern with a two-year term meaning that the parties would be renegotiating the entire collective agreement again in a matter of months.
The new proposal will create service stability for our communities and certainty for FVRL and FVRL staff to fiscal 2029 on wages and benefits.
We thank our communities and FVRL staff for their understanding and support during these challenging times.
-30-
March 3, 2026
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL LIBRARY CLOSURES
Abbotsford, BC - We regret to advise that, until further notice, all Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) locations will be closed, effective 8:43AM on Friday.
Since June 2, 2025, FVRL has been in negotiations with CUPE Local 1698 (Union), including with the assistance of a Labour Relations Board appointed mediator (at FVRL’s request of the Union), to renew our Collective Agreement. We were unable to reach an agreement, despite FVRL proposing numerous meaningful improvements for staff, as well as general wage increases in line with known and projected inflation (4% for 2025, 3% for 2026, and 2.25% for 2027, totaling 9.25%). FVRL has therefore made the difficult decision to issue 72-hour lockout notice, which was provided to the Union today.
This has been a truly unprecedented round of bargaining. As we shared with the Union and with our staff, our proposals when we were last at the bargaining table with the Union were approximately $3.1 million apart, over the proposed three-year term. At that time, FVRL shared with the Union that we were open to reconsidering mediated bargaining together with the Labour Board if the Union was willing to work within the “pie” we had offered in our final offer (a pie that we knew met or exceeded wage increases being offered by our comparators).
Since November, no bargaining has taken place and the Union has not accepted FVRL’s invitation to reconsider mediation.
Last Thursday, February 26, FVRL followed up with the same mediation invitation, following which the Union then proposed a two-year agreement set to expire in only 10 months with wage increases of 4% and 3%. This was a significant reversal from bargaining table discussions where a three-year agreement had been proposed by both parties and where the Union knew that a two-year agreement was not possible because FVRL would be forced to bargain a new agreement with a new board unfamiliar with FVRL bargaining.
On Friday, at the Union’s request, we made a counter to their last proposal that sought to address the Union’s stated concern that the third year of the three-year proposed term was too low. Our counter consisted of redistributing the pie amongst the three years (to 3.25%, 3%, and 3%, still totaling 9.25%). The Union rejected that counter.
We appreciate that issuing lockout notice is an extraordinary step but we cannot reasonably see other available options for us to conclude an agreement at this stage. FVRL’s Board Chair, Councillor Mike Hayes of Pitt Meadows, and FVRL’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Hargrove, noted that “FVRL remains committed to reaching a renewed agreement, and since November 2025 has expressed to the Union that it is open to resuming mediation if the Union is prepared to work within the monetary framework of our final offer.”
While the libraries will remain closed starting Friday morning until further notice, FVRL remains committed to serving its customers. Customers are urged to make use of FVRL’s collection of downloadable eBooks, eAudiobooks and other digital resources and services available through FVRL’s website, www.fvrl.ca. Pre-recorded library programs are available on FVRL’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/FraserValleyLibrary. Library cards will also be available through the website for those Fraser Valley residents who don’t currently have one in order to access our digital resources.
All FVRL book drops will be unavailable for the duration of the closure. Customers who have borrowed books, Playground items and other physical materials are asked to keep them until the libraries reopen. FVRL no longer charges late fees, so there will be no fines on items kept past their due date.
We will provide you with further updates as they become available. We know your libraries are important to you and your communities. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
-30-