More resources are going into local libraries.

On Wednesday, the Okanagan Regional Library board approved its 2017 financial plan, including  a 1.98 per cent hike to the budget.

鈥淚f the budget is less than two per cent, I go 鈥榊ay,鈥欌�� said Catherine Lord, board chairperson.

There鈥檚 an overall net increase of $362,346 or total expenditures of $18,691,342.

The tax impact will vary among , with a community鈥檚 contribution based half on population and half on assessments.

Lord describes the document as a cost of living budget that allows ORL to maintain its services while preparing for the future.

鈥淭here鈥檚 an almost two per cent increase in union contracts and there鈥檚 staff training,鈥� she said.

Much of the training focus is expanded technology within the library branches.

鈥淭he services are more varied than they used to be,鈥� said Lord.

Besides the budget, board members and administration also tackled the agency鈥檚 strategic planning process.

Lord believes the process is allowing staff to become more involved in the library.

鈥淭he while tenure of the library has changed. The culture of the staff has changed,鈥� she said.

鈥淎ll of the staff are feeling more empowered and they can come forward with recommendations.鈥�