Media Releases

The Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell is urging the community to contribute to Tomorrow’s Library, a landmark review of Victorian public libraries, and shape their future.

Submissions to Tomorrow’s Library close on Thursday 31 May and will inform a comprehensive report due to be released later this year.

“This consultation is an opportunity for the community to contribute to the development of a future-focused and forward-thinking plan for Victorian public libraries,” Mrs Powell said.

“Public libraries are vital resources within our community and provide invaluable access to knowledge, the latest information technology and a wide range of community services.

“The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring public libraries remain vibrant, modern and effective resources for all Victorians, in partnership with local government,” Mrs Powell said.

The review is being conducted by the bipartisan Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries (MAC) re-established by Minister Powell. The members of the MAC include:
· Chair, David Morris MP – Member for Mornington and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government

· Deputy Chair, Joanne Duncan MP – Member for Macedon

· Peter Crisp MP – Member for Mildura

· Cr Rod Fyffe – Municipal Association of Victoria

· Dennis Hovenden – Local Government Professionals

· John Murrell – Public Libraries Victoria Network

· Anne Holmes – Public Libraries Victoria Network

· Sue Hamilton – Chief Executive Officer State Library of Victoria

· John Bennie – City of Greater Dandenong

· Cr Sharon Ellis – Whitehorse City Council 

· Cr Judith O'Farrell – Campaspe Shire Council

· Patti Manolis – Geelong Regional Library Corporation

· Mr Colin Morrison – Department of Planning and Community Development

· Mr Dan Harper – MAC Executive Officer

Chair of the MAC on Public Libraries David Morris said around half of Victorians were library members.

“The role of libraries continues to change and evolve – particularly with the impact of emerging technologies,” Mr Morris said.

“We need to develop relevant and effective strategic directions for Victorian public library services, but first, we need to determine what tomorrow’s library might look like.”

Submissions and community contributions can be made at www.tomorrowslibrary.com.au, www.facebook.com/tomorrowslibrary and www.twitter.com/2morrowslibrary

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell today outlined the Victorian Coalition Government‟s ongoing commitment to public libraries in Victoria at the „Victorians Love Libraries‟ launch at the Clayton Library.

“The Coalition Government is committed to enhancing Victoria‟s public library network to promote lifelong learning opportunities for Victorians,” Mrs Powell said.

“Since coming to office the Coalition Government has injected an additional $6.4 million into recurrent library funding in the next three years to fix a black hole left by the previous Labor Government.

“The Coalition Government has also invested $17.2 million in the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program which will deliver at least 40 new or upgraded library facilities throughout the state during this term of government.

“A further $1 million will be shared amongst local councils, regional library corporations and Vision Australia for the purchase of books as part of the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund.”

A landmark bi-partisan review into the future of Victorian library services and funding arrangements is being conducted by the Libraries Ministerial Advisory Committee.

“Libraries are essential community infrastructure that bring the community together, connect us to the wider world and provide unrivalled free access to knowledge, information and entertainment for their members,” Mrs Powell said.

“Libraries are part of the fabric of many communities and the Coalition Government is helping ensure public libraries are welcoming, accessible and safe community environments for people of all ages and from all backgrounds.”

Member for Shepparton and Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell was pleased to present 11 year old Bree Logan of Shepparton with the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation’s Summer Reading Club competition trophy.

The competition stems from a Children’s Program titled the Summer Reading Club and the theme for 2011-2012 was “the amazing read”. This program is a national campaign to promote libraries and reading throughout the school holiday period.

Mrs Powell said to be selected out of over 200 entries is a major achievement for Bree.

“Her colouring of the ‘Wild Thing’ showed a great deal of talent, care and effort,” Mrs Powell said.

“Judging by the number of entries received it’s a very popular school holiday program.”

GVRLC has over 500 members aged between 1 and 17 who were eligible to enter the colouring competition through the libraries which form part of GVRLC within the municipalities of the Greater City of Shepparton, Moira and Strathbogie Shires.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has announced the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation will receive $29,461 from the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund to purchase books and associated materials.

“The Coalition Government is committed to improving educational opportunities for young Victorians and the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund provides access to a fabulous reading list of more than 4,000 items,” Mrs Powell said.

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is distributing $1 million amongst local councils, regional library corporations and Vision Australia to purchase books and materials on the reading list of the Book Fund.

“The Book Fund is an important component of the Coalition Government’s investment in encouraging Victoria’s young people to read more widely on their journey to lifelong learning,” Mrs Powell said.

“Containing authors as diverse and important as Homer, Dickens and Pamela Allen, the Book Fund’s reading list is replete with titles to delight and challenge children of all ages.”

Premier Ted Baillieu has adopted a bi-partisan approach to the Book Fund and has enlisted the support of former Premiers John Cain, Joan Kirner, Jeff Kennett, Steve Bracks and John Brumby for this fantastic literacy initiative.

The $1 million from the Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund is in addition to the
$33.5 million that has been allocated in recurrent grants to public libraries under the Public Libraries Funding Program in 2011-12.

The Coalition Government has also committed $17.2 million to the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to assist councils and regional library corporations in building new facilities and rejuvenating existing libraries.

“Victoria has a highly regarded public library network and the Coalition Government is intent on improving the services libraries deliver and the buildings they operate in,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell today announced $349,500 in Victorian Coalition Government funding from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program for the redevelopment of the Apollo Bay Library.

“The Coalition Government is committed to the continual upgrade of Victoria’s world-class public library network to ensure life long learning opportunities for all Victorians,” Mrs Powell said.

“Libraries are essential public infrastructure that bring the community together and connect it to the wider world and the Coalition Government is making a substantial investment in these community hubs.”

Member for Polwarth Terry Mulder welcomed the funding for Apollo Bay Library as another example of the Coalition Government investing in the local community.

“This redevelopment will see the Apollo Bay Library double its current size and provide additional space for more books, a children’s area, access to IT and wireless internet,” Mr Mulder said.

Mrs Powell said through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, $17.2 million was being invested over four years to improve Victoria’s public library structure by delivering at least 40 new or upgraded library
facilities across the state.

“The purpose of the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is to improve the infrastructure of Victoria’s public libraries to make them more accessible and to meet the changing needs of communities,” Mrs Powell said.

The redevelopment of the Apollo Bay Library will receive $349,500 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program; $200,260 from the Colac Otway Shire Council and $38,000 from Otway Health. The total project cost is $587,760.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has announced $180,000 in Victorian Coalition Government funding from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to help establish a new library at Lake Bolac.

“The Coalition Government is committed to the continual upgrade of Victoria’s highly rated public library network to ensure life long learning opportunities for all Victorians,” Mrs Powell said.

“Libraries are essential public infrastructure that bring the community together and connect it to the wider world and Coalition Government is making a substantial investment in these community hubs.

“The purpose of the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is to improve the infrastructure of Victoria’s public libraries to make them more accessible and to meet the changing needs of communities,” Mrs Powell said.

Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty welcomed the announcement of the $180,000 in Coalition Government funding for a new library at Lake Bolac.

“Lake Bolac is a progressive town and this funding will provide a great boost to the community and encourage more people to enjoy the facilities their local library offers,” Mr Delahunty said.

“With this funding, the people of Lake Bolac will now have a permanent home for their library, which will open seven days a week – a big improvement on the one-hour-a week mobile library.

“I am thrilled the Lake Bolac library will be housed in an extension to the Lake Bolac Information and Business Centre and will now be able to provide a reading area, educational display area and an area for programs and storage, ensuring the community has a new place to connect.”

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said the Coalition Government is investing $17.2 million over four years to improve Victoria’s public library structure by delivering at least 40 new or upgraded library
facilities across the state.

The first round of funding for the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program will result in $3.4 million being invested in the rebuilding or refurbishment of Victoria’s public library network.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has launched Goulburn Valley’s new mobile library in Shepparton today.

The Coalition Government contributed $269,330 to the mobile library under the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, with the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation funding the difference on the $415,969
project.

The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program provides for the continual upgrade of Victoria’s public library infrastructure to improve accessibility and meet the changing needs of our communities.

“The new state-of-the-art mobile library will provide users with access to an ever expanding range of services including the ability to lend a variety of books, magazines, audio books, DVDs and CDs, and will bring access to the internet for the 21 communities it services,” Mrs Powell said.

“Our public libraries are important community hubs and this new library has greater mobility that will allow it to reach less accessible areas.

“The Victorian Government is committed to working in partnership with councils and library corporations to deliver opportunities for life long learning to all Victorian communities.

“By connecting smaller communities to the public library network the mobile library service is a very important component of that commitment,” Mrs Powell said.

Through the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, $17.2 million is being invested over four years to improve Victoria’s public library structure by delivering at least 40 new or upgraded library facilities across the state.

The Victorian Government worked in conjunction with Moira Shire Council, Greater Shepparton City Council, Strathbogie Shire Council, and the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation on this project.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has announced $750,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program towards the $8.4 million redevelopment of Bendigo library.

The $750,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Funding is in addition to the $2 million already allocated from the Regional Growth Fund.

“The Victorian Coalition Government has committed $17.2 million to the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to fund the ongoing upgrade of Victoria’s world class public library service,” Mrs Powell said.

“The redevelopment of the library in Bendigo is the next installment of the Coalition’s commitment to enhancing life-long learning opportunities for Victorians.

“The community of Bendigo often flocks to the current library which is showing its age and struggling to meet the needs of a growing community.

“The redevelopment will consist of five interdependent functional areas that will provide self check-out of books through radio frequency identification, an IT learning lounge, a themed children’s library, an
audio visual area and access to a world standard collection of books.

“Contemporary libraries have become important community hubs and the redevelopment of the library will also deliver Bendigo increased space for community use.

“I’d like to commend Greater Bendigo City Council for their extensive community consultation process on this project. The redeveloped Bendigo library will be open for at least 54 hours a week – an increase on the
current 48 hours a week now provided.

“Libraries are essential community infrastructure that bring people together and connects them to the wider world,” Mrs Powell said.

Of the total project cost of $8.4 million, the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program will provide $750,000, the Regional Growth Fund $2 million, the Greater Bendigo City Council $4.4 million, the Goldfields Library Corporation $1 million and $250,000 from other sources.

A staged construction process will allow present services to continue. Redevelopment work is expected to begin by 30 June 2012, with completion expected by May 2014.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has announced the community of Trentham has been successful in securing funding of $55,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program to help establish a new library.

“The new library will be established in the refurbished building owned and formerly occupied by Hepburn Health and construction is expected to begin on 30 January 2012,” Mrs Powell said.

“The development of a new library in Trentham is another step on the path to improving access to our world class public library service.

“I want to pay special tribute to the volunteer working group that was so influential in the success of the Hepburn Shire Council’s funding application.

“By gathering more than 700 signatures on a petition to support the establishment of the new library, the volunteer working group has helped create a wonderful legacy for the community of Trentham.

“The new Trentham library will open for at least 13 hours a week – a significant increase on the current 2 hours a week provided by the mobile library service.

“Libraries are important community meeting spaces and this project will create a flexible, attractive community hub that will provide access to the range of services modern libraries offer.

“In addition to the traditional book lending services our public libraries now offer connection to the internet, the ability to borrow DVDs and CDs, support for book clubs, events for seniors and programs aimed at school age children.

“Libraries are essential community infrastructure that bring people together and connect them to the wider world.

“The Coalition Government is committed to the continual improvement of our public library network and to enhancing Victorians’ opportunity for life long learning,” Mrs Powell said.

Of the total project cost of $77,571, the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program will provide $55,000 and the Hepburn Shire Council $22,571.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell officially convened the first meeting of the new Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on public libraries today.

“The MAC has been tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of public libraries in Victoria and providing advice for a long-term strategic direction on improving library services across Victoria,” Mrs Powell said.

“The review will analyse the current use and future needs of libraries as well as developing’ trends including the use of emerging technologies and the use of libraries for wider public purposes.

“Libraries now offer a far greater range of services than the traditional booking lending services that were previously their mainstay.

“Libraries are a vital resource for our communities and the Victorian Government is committed to improving services in partnership with local government.

“It is particularly significant that for the first time the MAC on public libraries is bi-partisan with the Chair and Deputy Chair drawn from the government and opposition respectively,” Mrs Powell said.

The members of the MAC include:

· Chair, David Morris MP – Member for Mornington and Parliamentary
Secretary for Local Government

· Deputy Chair, Joanne Duncan MP – Member for Macedon

· Peter Crisp MP – Member of Mildura

· Cr Rod Fyffe – Municipal Association of Victoria

· Dennis Hovenden – Local Government Professionals

· John Murrell – Public Libraries Victoria Network

· Anne Holmes – Public Libraries Victoria Network

· Sue Hamilton – Chief Executive Officer State Library of Victoria

· John Bennie – City of Greater Dandenong

· Cr Sharon Ellis – Whitehorse City Council

· Cr Judith O'Farrell – Campaspe Shire Council

· Patti Manolis – Geelong Regional Library Corporation

· Mr Colin Morrison – Department of Planning and Community Development

· Mr Dan Harper – MAC Executive Officer

Mrs Powell said she would seek regular progress updates of the review from the Chair, David Morris, and looked forward to the outcomes of the review.

“I would like to thank all members for their time and commitment to the MAC and to Victoria’s public libraries,” Mrs Powell said.