Booked in: Geelong councillors Rod Macdonald and Cameron Granger with David Morris MP and Patti Manolis outside Geelong City Library this week.
By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG’S regional libraries are now the second busiest in the state, according to their chief executive officer.
Patti Manolis said latest figures helped push the case for State Government funding for Geelong Regional Library Corporation.
An outcry over Geelong library funding cuts last year demonstrated community support for further Government backing, she said.
The Independent revealed last year that the Government had slashed library funding in July.
Ms Manolis said the corporation used the new figures in a submission to a Tomorrow’s Library community consultation this week with Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries chair David Morris MP.
“Support from community organisations and individuals pushed the case for Geelong’s proposed library and heritage centre redevelopment,” Ms Manolis said.
He said community submissions sought investment in digital and online formats, more library spaces and information technology services.
“With a rapidly growing population projected to reach 500,000 by 2050 and with the redevelopment of the Geelong library set to start soon, it’s timely that we are having this conversation,” he said.
