Public library funding has now reached crisis point in NSW.
- One in two people are public library members and use our libraries 32 million times every year.
- Our state government provides the lowest per capita funding to public libraries in Australia.
- Services most at risk are: story times, home delivery, learning English, internet access, study and meeting places, opening hours, new books and branch libraries.
- The young, old, culturally diverse and disadvantaged have the most to lose.
- In a democratic society free public libraries are everybody's right.
Some Background...
State Government funding for public libraries has been reduced during the past 25 years. In 1980 the State Government contributed 23.6 per cent of the total operating costs of public libraries. This contribution dwindled to 7.8 per cent in 2004-05 with a massive cut of $1,023,000 (4.16 per cent) in 2006-07.
NSW has the lowest State Government per capita contribution to public libraries of all state and territories in Australia. Since 1980 State Government contribution to public libraries has increased by three times, from $8.5m to $22.4m, while Local Government contributions have increased by a massive 10 times from $27.5m to $265m.
OK. It's your turn...
Tell us what library services you would hate to lose because we didn't have enough money in the budget to fund them. Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
5 Reactions:
Sutherland Shire libraries are tremendous value for a small amount of our council rates. The main library in Sutherland is a vibrant, welcoming place. I use the library for various adult continuing education, pleasure reading, and as a quiet, safe, free place to relax between appointments in Sutho. My daughter enjoyed having the public library as an additional place to study during the recent HSC.
I would hate to lose any of our library services - they are small enough as it is. The library is my lifeline -- i have read books since i was 5 years of age (making a total of 62 years!!!! I find the library not only an interesting place to visit but also encourage my grandchildren to visit with me - it is quiet and safe. I love browsing around the dvd sections, non fiction sections, newsapers and magazines. I believe library facilities should be improved and expanded to encourage more people to belong. I have lived overseas and in many places throughout Australia and the first thing i always did was to join a library. The best thing about the library is that it is FREE.
Hey i'm just a teenager and I have just started getting into reading and becoming more articulate, culturally diverse etc (when I started going there during my HSC to study). To me, Sutherland Library provides a source of materials that can't be offered over an internet connection (legally or financially feasible) or even in tangible form at some retailers. It's vital we have a library to gain such useful knowledge from a vast range of diverse titles.
"knowledge is power"
I believe government should plan something for funding public libraries.
I LOVE my library- for research, up to date magazines, and of course to borrow both non-fiction & fiction books.
PLEASE SAVE SUTHERLAND SHIRE LIBRARIES!!!
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