The Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton libraries will remain open, and Chilwell Library will continue as a staffed library, as confirmed after a meeting with Geelong Regional Libraries’ CEO Vanessa Schernickau and City of Greater Geelong Acting CEO Kaarina Phyland.
The libraries were in danger of closing after a shortfall in funding.
However, the libraries will operate on reduced hours and will close altogether on Sundays.
The Acting CEO of the City of Greater Geelong informed the CEO of Geelong Regional Libraries that Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library will not open before 1 July 2024, and therefore this requested operating funding ($356,000) will not be required until the following financial year.
Geelong Regional Libraries will not receive the $762,000 that was requested to operate the newly opened Boronggook Drysdale Library. Every time a new library is opened in Greater Geelong, Geelong Regional Libraries works with CoGG to agree on the hours of operation and staffing levels. The agreed-upon funding required to run these libraries has always been provided in previous council budgets.
CoGG is responsible for the design, planning, development and building of libraries. CoGG owns the buildings, Geelong Regional Libraries delivers all library services.
Therefore, there is still a budget shortfall of $762,000 in Council’s 2023/24 draft budget that will result in the following significant service reductions at Geelong Regional Libraries, such as:
• There will be no libraries in Greater Geelong open Saturday afternoons except Geelong Library (Belmont, Boronggook Drysdale, Corio, Lara, Leopold, Ocean Grove and Waurn Ponds libraries closing earlier on Saturday)
• There will be no libraries in Greater Geelong open on Sunday except Geelong Library (Boronggook Drysdale, Corio and Waurn Ponds libraries will all close Sunday)
• A reduction in services at Kim barne thaliyu/Geelong Heritage Centre
• Existing staff vacancies may not be filled
The above reductions are not sufficient to meet the shortfall, Geelong Regional Libraries will now work to review and assess where savings can be made.
These changes will take effect from 1 July 2023 and will only affect libraries in Greater Geelong. No library services in other local government areas serviced by Geelong Regional Libraries will be impacted.
Geelong Regional Libraries’ CEO Vanessa Schernickau said “We exist to provide much loved library services to our communities and we have prioritised keeping all libraries open. However, the budget shortfall that remains is still significant and your experience at your local library in the City of Greater Geelong will look different.”
