Library cost cuts are on the books

By Nicole Williams
The Liberal Government advised Victorian public libraries of cuts to their funding last week, but Greater Dandenong Council is still working out how it will impact on the operating costs of the Dandenong and Springvale libraries.
The libraries are partially funded by the State Government and run by the council.
Greater Dandenong Aged and Disability Services Manager Mary Rydberg said the cuts were disappointing.
“Library funding cuts announced by the State Government will impact on council’s operating costs, however the extent of this impact is yet to be fully determined,” Ms Rydberg said.
“Any funding cuts to library services are disappointing as libraries provide a vital community service.”
Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the cuts totalled more than $2 million for the state’s libraries.
“A cut of more than $2 million to the Public Libraries Grants Program was inherited from the former Labor Government,” Ms Powell said.
“The Coalition Government successfully protected public libraries’ recurrent funding from further reductions in difficult economic circumstances.”
Ms Rydberg said the timing was also unfortunate.
“It is particularly disappointing that these funding cuts have been announced after council has already set its budget for 2011-12,” she said.
According to the 2011-12 Council Budget, Greater Dandenong received $838,000 in grants for the operation of the Springvale and Dandenong libraries last financial year and was expecting similar funding this year.
The funding cuts could negatively affect the council’s strategic plan of having close to one million visitors through the library doors this year.