VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Canadian Taxpayers Federation will be asking to see the financial books of public libraries in Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey and Fraser Valley.
    
The spending habits of the former CEO of the Greater-Victoria Public Library is prompting Jordan Bateman with the CTF to take a closer look library spending.

Statements have come to light, showing Barry Holmes used his business credit card for over $131,000 in personal expenses over close to four years while employed as the head of the Victoria library.

Some of the purchases include $500 worth of body cream, $2,000 in antiques, $1,500 in groceries, and another $1,500 spent at HMV and iTunes.
    
Bateman says it’s appalling. “The frustrating part is, nothing is sacred anymore when it comes to tax waste. Even libraries, which most of us would agree are a good public service, you know, one of those mom and apple pie sort of things. You wouldn’t think they would  have these issues. I guess even library boards now have to come under that tough scrutiny we put our politicians under,” he insists.

“In an era when we’re getting used to $16 orange juices and all sorts of crazy spending habits, this guy has gone above-and-beyond and set a new low standard for taking care of public dollars.”

Holmes was CEO of the Victoria Public Library from 2006 to 2010. He then was hired by the Windsor Public Library where he allegedly racked up another $67,000 in expenses. He has now taken an extended sick leave from his job after a routine audit put a spotlight on his credit card spending. He eventually left his job June 26.