Fine time for library funds

By Tania Martin
A STATE Government cash boost for libraries is still too little, Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor Tim Heenan says.
The Government was still lagging behind in its funding for libraries, he said.
This follows a record $38.2 million allocation for Victorian libraries.
Monbulk MP James Merlino said Eastern Regional Library (ERL) services would receive $2.1 million, which was an increase of 4.6 per cent.
“These funding increases reflect the growing demands and will allow libraries to meet local needs,” he said.
ERL covers Yarra Ranges, Knox and Maroondah with a total of 13 libraries.
The $2.1 million allocated would mean an average of $161,500 for each library for the year 2008-09.
Cr Heenan said although it was about time the Government started putting its hand in its pocket, it was still not enough.
He said for years funding for ERL had been lagging behind with councils expected to pick up the slack.
Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said the Government increased the allocation to the Public Libraries Grants Program by $1.5 million, which was almost a five per cent increase on last year.
“We are taking action to ensure all Victorians have access to quality libraries,” he said.
“With almost half of all Victorians belonging to a public library, there is a growing demand for library services, which is why we have given them this boost.”
But Cr Heenan said there was no guarantee that the Government would continue to fund libraries at this level.
“I may seem a bit cynical but I have seen first hand the issues with funding,” he said.
“ERL have faced an uphill battle over the past couple of years and library funding is not something the Government should be playing around with from time to time.”
Cr Heenan said the council would be continuing to lobby the Government to put more cash into library services.
“In recent times the funding has fallen down for ERL and the council has been picking up the tab for the past few years – it’s the Government’s turn now,” he said.