Council
6 June, 2024
Library service secured, but costs a concern
MOYNE Shire Council has endorsed the signing of an additional three-year term for the shared delivery of library services with the neighbouring Corangamite Shire Council, despite concern libraries are a “burden” on shire coffers.
Corangamite and Moyne Shires first agreed to a provide a shared model library service in 2022 under the Corangamite Moyne Library Service (CMLS).
The joint-management followed the dissolution of the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation.
Corangamite Shire Council voted unanimously in March to opt in to the three-year extension of the CMLS, citing a positive financial performance and a great working relationship between the two shires in delivering the service for ratepayers.
The agreement will see the service continue from July 1 next year through to June 30, 2028.
As mover of the motion, at last week’s ordinary council meeting to extend the CMLS by three years, Cr Foster said she was a “huge supporter” of Moyne’s three public libraries in Mortlake, Koroit and Port Fairy.
She said public libraries had only emerged in the mid-1800s, creating an era in which knowledge became freely available to all.
“Public libraries were a way of ensuring information and knowledge was accessible to everybody, and that spirit continues today,” she said.
“Of course, our libraries have evolved a lot over that time and has now moved way beyond books; it’s movies, it’s free events, it’s learning, access to computers and internet.
“I think at this time, when cost of living pressures are very real, libraries have never been more important.
“This is a three-year term which gives not only our staff some levels of stability and assurance, but also our communities sending a message we support libraries, we support free access to information and intelligence.”
Cr James Purcell also spoke in favour of the motion, stating he would always support public libraries, but he expressed disappointment council would have to “foot the bill”.
In the 2023-2024 financial year the service cost Moyne Shire Council $357,000, and in the Draft Budget of 2024/2025 the cost is proposed to rise to $380,000.
“Libraries were traditionally 50-50 with the state,” he said.
“They continually walk away from it, every time it’s a reduced percentage they put in and we have to pick it up.
“I just can’t see the fairness in doing that and obviously the state doesn’t see that the libraries are as important as we do.
“It is disappointing that we have to pick up an increased share of the library burden, and it is a burden – it’s a substantial amount we invest in our library services, but I’ll certainly be supporting it.”
Cr Meade said he would “reluctantly” support the motion due to the cost, but signalled potentially dark times ahead for library services in the shire.
“I would encourage the new council which comes in to do a full analysis and review of Moyne’s library spending,” he said.
“From my understanding of reading the budget that ($380,000) is just for the (CMLS), but there’s an extra $120,000 for the actual running of our libraries.
“It’s nearly half a million dollars a year when you include it all.
“We’ve just been through as a shire the aged services review, and I would encourage the next council to put on their agenda a library review.”
Cr Lockett said he supported the motion as libraries were important assets to the community, and offered his thanks to librarians and staff who “do a great job”.
“(Libraries are) a community space, they’re a community hub and a base of community engagement which supports literature, education and preserve culture and heritage,” he said.
“I didn’t think I would use a Thomas Jefferson quote in the Moyne Shire Council, but my favourite quote about books and democracy says, “Access to information is the currency of democracy,” and that’s exactly what libraries are.
“You don’t need to go to university to educate yourself, just read a book or two.
“We spend $17 million on our roads, and $380,000 on our three libraries – it’s a good investment and I think it could even be more.”
The motion was carried unanimously.