Five years after people power saved the Barwon Heads Library from permanent closure, the battle is on again.
The library was slated for closure, along with libraries at Highton and Chilwell, in 2018, but a public backlash resulted in council reversing its decision, allowing it to stay in operation.
However, Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) said it could close Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton libraries by September this year after the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) suggested it find $1.118 million in response to its draft budget.
GRLC said it asked for a two percent increase to funding in council’s draft budget, and while that has been met, it does not include funds to operate two new libraries – Boronggook Drysdale Library (opened April 2023) and Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library (opening 2024) – leaving a gap in GRLC funding of $1.118 million in 2023-24.
In order to find the extra $1.118 million, GRLC said it may close Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton libraries, transition Chilwell Library to an
unstaffed model and Corio and Boronggook Drysdale libraries will now close on Sundays, while eight local libraries will be closing earlier on Saturdays.
“The last thing we want to do is close libraries and reduce services to the communities that we serve, or to impact our staff,” GRLC CEO Vanessa Schernickau said.
“But with the COGG draft budget as it stands we have been left with no choice. A funding shortfall of this size cannot be found by reducing programs or events, or small modifications to our operating models.”
CoGG said it did not support the closure of any library and that GRLC “has options that they are choosing not to take up”.
“We are in the process of assisting the GRLC to identify where they can make savings in senior roles and back office roles to align to an organisation of their size, as well as savings in other discretionary operating costs,” it said in a statement.
“The City has previously supplied payroll, finance and other back office services to the GRLC but the Corporation has chosen to take these responsibilities in house, adding to their overheads.
“We will consider taking library services in-house if the GRLC cannot find a way to operate all of Geelong’s libraries with the funding available.”
