By Lia Bichel
THE State Government has reversed its decision to cut library funds, leaving the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation optimistic for the future.
CEO Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation Peter Carter welcomed an announcement by the Baillieu Government this week of a $6.5 million funding package to Victorian libraries.
In June, Mr Carter said the board had prepared their budget before being told about the proposed funding cuts, leaving them with a $66,000 void to fill.
Mr Carter said he hoped the recent announcement would benefit local libraries and he looked forward to working with the State Government to achieve a favourable outcome.
“I think it’s a positive outcome in terms of the State Government listening to the local government, and we are happy to work with them on what is proposed and see how it pans out. Hopefully we can achieve a sustainable outcome for the long term,” Mr Carter said.
“It’s always best to be optimistic.”
Friends of Emerald Library Bookgroup co-ordinator Dot Radings was delighted to hear that funding had been restored.
“That’s excellent news, the libaries needs all the funding they can get,” she said.
“It’s not only books these days, but audio visual facilities, and school services, as well as many other areas.”
Ms Radings said funding must be maintained at reasonable levels to ensure library buildings, collections and services were kept at at an acceptable level.
“I think people have worked hard to get their local libraries going and it would be sad to see them fall into disrepair,” she said.
“It’s a bit like parks funding, which gets cuts again and again.”
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