Geelong libraries share in $2.3m of funding

THE Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) is receiving more than $2.3 million in funding to support its branches in the latest tranche of state government support.

Under the Public Libraries Funding Program, the $2.374 million will be split across the municipalities the GRLC services, with $261,327 going to Surf Coast Shire libraries, $80,579 for the Borough of Queenscliff, $1,613,050 for City of Greater Geelong, $210,000 for Golden Plains Shire, and $209,203 for Colac Otway Shire.

The Public Libraries Funding Program provides annual funding for public libraries across Victoria so that they can provide valuable library services.

This funding will expand library collections, boost online services and provide library and outreach programs.

The GRLC’s expanded network covers an area of almost 9,000 square kilometres across 19 libraries, plus three mobile libraries, a Home Library Service and an inter-library loans service.

According to the GRLC’s 2022-23 Strategic Resource Plan, 127,000 of the combined population of 327,000 across the four municipalities (or 39 per cent) were GRLC members.

As of the end of the 2021 financial year, there were 703,000 visits and 692,000 website visits, and 1.7 million loans of collection items.

On top of this, there were 692,000 accesses of online databases, digital collections and streaming platforms and 319,000 eBook and eMagazine loans, while programs and events attracted 33,000 participants across children’s, youth and adult programs.

“It’s great to see the government continuing to support local libraries to deliver high-quality resources for our community through the Public Libraries Funding Program,” South Barwon Labor MP Darren Cheeseman said.

“As our community grows, so do their needs. This funding will provide the Geelong and Surf Coast communities to have improved access to digital technology and resources, literacysupport services, traditional collections, event spaces and workstations.”

The Public Libraries Funding Program has been allocated $48.1 million in funding for the 2022-2023 financial year.

Local libraries are much-loved community facilities in Victoria. Across the state, more than two million library members borrow more than 31 million items from libraries every year.

Labor says it has invested more than $354 million through the Public Libraries Funding Program since 2015.

“We’re supporting learning and education, and this funding will ensure that libraries can continue to provide accessible and engaging resources to communities across Victoria through the Public Library Funding Program,” Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said.

For information on the Public Libraries Funding Program, head to localgovernment.vic.gov.au