General News
31 August, 2025
LEFT ON THE SHELF
Government forces fund diversion for libraries STATE Government funding of libraries has fallen to less than a quarter of operating costs. The new low in funding copped the ire of Tarnagulla Ward councillor Nick Angelo at Tuesday’s Loddon Shire...
Government forces fund diversion for libraries
STATE Government funding of libraries has fallen to less than a quarter of operating costs.
The new low in funding copped the ire of Tarnagulla Ward councillor Nick Angelo at Tuesday’s Loddon Shire meeting.
Cr Angelo said less funding for the important library services from the Government meant councils were dipping into funds that they could use in other areas.
Mayor Dan Straub said the decline in the percentage of library funding was State Government cost-shifing that meant councils “pick up the slack”.
Latest statistics for Loddon’s five library agencies showed a spike in borrowings and visits for the last three months of 2024-2025 compared with the previous year.
Book loans were almost 12,000 (7110 in 2023-2024) and visits jumped from 3068 to 4377.
CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald told councillors: “A review of Victorian public library funding trends shows the library funding per capita has steadily declined over the past decade.
“This drop in funding reflects the increasing financial strain placed on councils and raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of equitable library services statewide.
“For the past three years, the Victorian Government has not increased their public libraries funding in line with CPI which is placing financial strain on the service and transferring the cost to local government who have increased their contribution in line with the State Government rate cap.”
A Parliamentary inquiry had called on the State Government to restore a 50-50 shared funding agreement with local councils for the operation of public libraries. But the recommendation was rejected by the Government.
According to the Government: “Libraries have had a changing role over time and now not only provide the community with information and technology but access to a broad range of local and Victorian Government information and services, offer a range of wellness programs, mental health resources and community services.”