Library closure plan reversed

THE Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation (GRLC) has reversed its plan to close three libraries in Geelong in the coming financial year, but there will still be reductions in some library services.

In its draft 2023/24 budget, the GRLC proposed closing the Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton libraries and switch Chilwell Library to an unstaffed model in response to a $1.1 million funding shortfall from the City of Greater Geelong, which provides 85 per cent of the GRLC’s funding.

However, in a statement released yesterday (Friday, May 19), the GRLC stated the city’s acting CEO Kaarina Phyland and GRLC chief executive officer Vanessa Schernickau had met to discuss the issue, and the three libraries would now remain open and Chilwell Library would continue to be staffed in the 2023/24 financial year.

“The acting CEO of the City of Greater Geelong informed the CEO of Geelong Regional Libraries that Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library will not open before July 1, 2024, and therefore this requested operating funding ($356,000) will not be required until the following financial year,” GRLC stated.

“Geelong Regional Libraries will not receive the $762,000 that was requested to operate the newly opened Boronggook Drysdale Library.”

The GRLC says this still leaves still a $762,000 shortfall, which would result in “significant service reductions” from July 1 this year only in libraries in the municipality of Greater Geelong:

• There will be no libraries in Greater Geelong open Saturday afternoons except Geelong Library (Belmont, Boronggook Drysdale, Corio, Lara, Leopold, Ocean Grove and Waurn Ponds libraries will close earlier on Saturday)
• There will be no libraries in Greater Geelong open on Sunday except Geelong Library (Boronggook Drysdale, Corio and Waurn Ponds libraries will all close on Sundays)
• A reduction in services at Kim barne thaliyu/Geelong Heritage Centre, and
• Existing staff vacancies may not be filled.

GRLC has warned these reductions “are not sufficient to meet the shortfall [and] Geelong Regional Libraries will now work to review and assess where savings can be made”.

“We exist to provide much-loved library services to our communities and we have prioritised keeping all libraries open,” Ms Schernickau said.

“However, the budget shortfall that remains is still significant and your experience at your local library in the City of Greater Geelong will look different.”

In her own statement, Ms Phyland said the city had discussed with the GRLC “means available to them other than reducing services, which we hope they will take up”.

“The city never supported the closure of libraries and this outcome is positive for the community.

“We are facing a challenging next financial year, as are many governments, and the situation for the city is likely to be improved next year.

“In the short-term we appreciate our service providers working with us to operate as efficiently as possible so that the impact on the community is minimised.”