Libraries need a lifeline
Public libraries play a vital role in our communities by providing access to books, resources, and programs that promote learning and community engagement. However, due to rising costs, some public libraries in Victoria have had to reduce their operating hours, cut staff, and limit program delivery, putting these vital and well-loved services at risk.
This blog post explores why operational funding for public libraries is essential, what programs and services are offered, and how additional funding can help.
The Importance of Public Libraries
Public libraries in Victoria have over 2 million members, serving almost 1 in 3 Victorians. Our libraries deliver almost 58,000 programs to over 800,000 people every year, with 200 programs on offer every single day. These include:
- BabyTime, ToddlerTime and StoryTime
Programs that teach parents how to engage their children in reading and foster pre-literacy skills. - The BIG Summer Read
A statewide program that addresses the loss of reading proficiency in children over the summer holidays. - Inter-library loans
Sharing collections between libraries allows users to access any book they want to read or study, even if their local library does not have it. - Inclusive events
Programs delivered under the Libraries After Dark initiative provide a social alternative to gambling. Libraries also host inclusive events for rainbow families, sensory-friendly programs for children with disability (Sensitive Storytime) and casual socialisation events for adults with disability (LEGO for all). - Digital literacy support
Helping seniors and other groups learn how to use technology and access digital resources.
Libraries also offer tutoring for students, support for job seekers, and social and stimulating book clubs on a range of topics/genres.
Without additional operational funding, libraries cannot meet the growing service demand. Many people, including those in regional and rural communities, rely on public libraries for free access to books, digital resources, and community events. By providing this universal access, libraries help promote literacy, digital connectivity, and social networks, contributing to community wellbeing and connectedness.
Previous reports on the benefits of public libraries found that for every dollar invested, they returned four times as much value in economic activity. They also deliver nearly double in savings to the Victorian health care system, with a recent report on the health and wellbeing benefits proving just how valuable our public libraries are.
There are more than 2,400 librarians and library workers in Victoria who use their skills and relationships to help millions of people every day, especially the most vulnerable in our community. However, many of the 280+ libraries in Victoria are struggling to keep up with the demand for books, DVDs, ebooks, devices, and language kits, especially in rural areas and growing parts of Melbourne.
Why Public Libraries Need Additional Operational Funding
Rising costs, including inflation and courier fees, have put significant pressure on libraries. As a result, they have had to reduce services, including programs that promote early childhood literacy, which have been shown to have a direct causal effect on future schooling outcomes.
In a survey conducted by Public Libraries Victoria and State Library Victoria in October 2022, it was found that 35% of libraries were buying fewer books, 55% had cut programs, and 1 in 3 had to reduce staffing due to the pressures caused by a lack of funding.
Additional operational funding can help libraries meet the growing demand for their services. It can ensure that libraries stay open longer, expand online services, and make more resources available for loan. It can also support the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, which helps redevelop and build new libraries across the state. With this additional funding, libraries can accommodate cost increases without cutting services to vulnerable parts of the community or cutting jobs.
The Public Library Funding Program needs to increase more to account for the growing pains that libraries are experiencing due to high inflation and the growing population in Victoria. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the population continues to rise, and libraries are expected to accommodate more people for longer hours, expand their online services, offer more classes, and provide more resources with less money.
Public Libraries Victoria, the peak body representing all of Victoria’s public libraries, is calling for additional funding to support libraries across the state. Additional funding is needed for libraries in areas with growing populations to meet the needs of larger communities. In addition, more funding is needed for regional and rural libraries to improve digital services and ensure equitable access through inter-library loans and mobile services.
The Victorian Government must also recognize the increasing costs of redeveloping and building new libraries and ensure that the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program can continue to provide the same level of support as previous rounds.
Conclusion
Public libraries are essential for promoting literacy, providing access to books, resources, and community events, and improving social connectedness and wellbeing. Additional operational funding for public libraries in Victoria can help ensure that these services are maintained and expanded, giving everyone in the community access to free, universal learning opportunities.
This article is an adaptation of ‘Public Library Sector Investment Priorities’, a publication from Public Libraries Victoria about why Victorians need better-funded libraries. It was rewritten by ChatGPT — and edited by yours truly — as a bit of an experiment in my learning about Artificial Intelligence. Full credit to Public Libraries Victoria.
