NSW Public Library Funding Is at Crisis Point - Stand up for Our Libraries

naru6705 on 10/03/2019 - 11:37
Last edited 10/03/2019 - 16:02

NSW public library funding is at crisis point - Stand up for our libraries

Today’s libraries are about more than books – they are valuable centres for people to access information and knowledge, to meet new people and learn new skills.

But after 40 years of underinvestment NSW public libraries face a funding crisis, even as demand for services grows.

If enough of us speak up, we can ensure the NSW Government acts now to renew our libraries.

More visits, fewer resources
Libraries are more important than ever, with yearly visits to NSW public libraries up from 27 million in 2000 to over 35 million in 2017. Despite recent funding announcements, local councils shoulder the burden of over 90 percent of total funding for public libraries, with no guarantee of sustainable funding in the future.

Our plan to Renew Our Libraries
That’s why we’re calling on the NSW Government to urgently double the funding to public libraries and create a sustainable funding model to build the libraries of the future.

https://renewourlibraries.com.au/about/

Sign the petition here:
https://renewourlibraries.com.au/take-action

Send a message to your local candidates now:
https://renewourlibraries.com.au/nsw-election/

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renewourlibraries.com.au
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Comments

  • djones145 on 10/03/2019 - 11:46

    got any more recent statistics?
    does it include online visits
    any breakup on number of visits by library, I'm assuming the main city ones get more visits (like sydney or town hall library) and what level funding do those have
    funding levels by visitors
    what is the current level of funding

    • Baysew on 10/03/2019 - 11:51
      +1

      Renew our Libraries campaign: Councils' plea for funding 'crisis' fix

      The NSW government's 7.8 per cent contribution to total funding is the lowest of any state, according to LGNSW, and well below Victoria at 18 per cent and Queensland at 12 per cent.

      …the Berejiklian government slashed recurrent funding to libraries by 5 per cent in its most recent budget.

  • whooah1979 on 10/03/2019 - 11:50
    +5

    I can't remember the last time I visited a library. Everything I need to know may now be found online with a help of a few clicks/press.

    • Peter Enis on 10/03/2019 - 12:19
      +7

      Libraries are awesome if you have kids. We borrow 10+ books per week. The kids love the whole experience. Nice escape from the summer heat too.

    • JIMB0 on 11/03/2019 - 08:45
      +1

      Most people at my local library are sitting at a computer browsing the web.

  • pegaxs on 10/03/2019 - 12:05

    But I want a new stadium in Sydney!!!

    • djones145 on 10/03/2019 - 12:10

      maybe they can build a library in the new staiudm!

      • altomic on 10/03/2019 - 12:26
        +3

        a libradium!

        • Daabido on 10/03/2019 - 12:57

          Qld Reds supporters could visit the library section while they wait for their team to lose.

        • TheRealCher on 10/03/2019 - 23:25
          +1

          Sydney needs a monorail…

  • sahh on 10/03/2019 - 14:47

    Is the % funding in NSW lower because the councils collect more $$ compared to other states?

    But yes agree that the library is an amazing resource, our local has done well to keep up with change and is more than just a place to borrow books!

  • conservative on 10/03/2019 - 15:30

    Need more gaming PCs imo.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2019 - 15:30
    +1

    Whenever I see a proposed increase in funding, I have to ask, what would you reduce spending on?

    I'm definitely not against libraries but ideals need cost money.

  • grog on 10/03/2019 - 15:32

    Is it labor or liberal gov in nsw?

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2019 - 15:54
      +1

      Liberal.

      Clowns on all sides it seems. (In relation to the infinite money comment above).

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 10/03/2019 - 16:13
    +1

    Now that I have a platform…

    One thing the modern world is missing is public indoor spaces. And I'm not just talking about a community centre where retirees can engage in Tai Chi. Or a gallery of Portuguese Calligraphy from the 16th century.

    Just give us public spaces that are always available whether it's hot or cold, rainy or windy. No need to buy food or drink for the right to stay under cover. No need to slip, slop, slap. Privatised space is lost public space and no one wants to give up on easy money in urban centres (i.e. rent).

    Then when future generations face a polluted dystopia in a couples of centuries they'll be socialising within their protected bubbles with artificial recreations of today's natural environments. Until one day the outcasts from outside the bubble decide it's time to fight back and reclaim the right to fresh air for them and their sickly children. Starring Rob Schneider, Jr as…

    • papachris on 10/03/2019 - 20:49
      +3

      I'd like to add to the general request for public indoor spaces.

      How about indoor things to see and do after dark. Night Clubs and Theatres are one thing, but what about libraries, museums, galleries, etc that are open until midnight (or later)…

      • HighAndDry on 11/03/2019 - 10:30
        +1

        Good. You and Peterpeterpumpkin would be happy to put in the seed money to build and maintain these too I presume?

        • JIMB0 on 11/03/2019 - 12:16
          +1

          I'd say they're looking for someone who has more money than them to pay for it.

        • papachris on 11/03/2019 - 20:36

          LOL - so you pay for your local hospital to be upgraded, do you?…

          • JIMB0 on 11/03/2019 - 22:20

            @papachris: Sure do through my taxes, but I'd hate to be paying extra to provide public indoor spaces.

  • Thrawn on 10/03/2019 - 17:54
    +1

    Considering a very fancy public library is about to open in Darling Square, I find it hard to believe libraries funding is at crisis levels. Maybe crisis levels after they blew away funding to build high end architectural edifice on premium land.

    https://news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/articles/new-library-at…

  • Cheeper on 10/03/2019 - 19:01
    +1

    Face reality, the digital information era has arrived. No need for libraries now.

    • papachris on 10/03/2019 - 20:51

      Yeah - if you're careful, you can go days without human contact altogether…

  • Bystander on 10/03/2019 - 19:26

    Books???

    Physical books??

    Who the heck uses them?

    • [Deactivated] on 10/03/2019 - 19:30
      +2

      I beg to differ.

      Physical books are the foundation to everything I do.

      My desk is propped up by old textbooks.

    • jacross on 11/03/2019 - 09:17
      +1

      Fun fact. A lot of libraries have ebook collections you can borrow. Plus a lot of other services.

      I quite like physical books but not in a fetishist sense like some people. I've recently come back to libraries. They're quite good.

  • papachris on 10/03/2019 - 20:56

    Thanks OP. I signed…

    • HighAndDry on 11/03/2019 - 10:28

      Maybe if OP asked for donations instead of signatures it'd be more helpful.

  • HighAndDry on 11/03/2019 - 10:27

    local councils shoulder the burden of over 90 percent of total funding for public libraries

    Wait, I thought libraries were 100% a local council responsibility. Why don't local councils fund their libraries fully? As far as I'm aware, only people within the library's local area can access them for free anyway.

    • papachris on 11/03/2019 - 20:40

      Utter nonsense. You can walk into any library anywhere for free and use their collections and facilities for free. You should try it out, maybe learn something…

      • HighAndDry on 12/03/2019 - 10:11

        Walk in yes, but walk out with borrowed books?

  • Deridas on 11/03/2019 - 13:34
    -1

    OP, you state that NSW libraries public funding is at "crisis" point, you then subsequently in your post did not state any evidence of this.

    Libraries are primarily funded by local councils, nowhere in your post is there any argument for the state to shoulder more of a burden for libraries. It's bad enough my rates go towards my local library I rarely use, it's ridiculous for me as a taxpayer to fund YOUR library that l'll essentially never use.

    There is no bargains in more tax payer fundong for libraries, stop using this site to further your political agenda.

    (The state library, at Circular Quay, is funded by the tax payer, that place is well stocked and certainly do not need more funding…)

  • HeWhoKnows on 11/03/2019 - 13:47

    I havent used a library since I was at school.

    Everything anyone needs is available on the internet.
    Libraries are a slowly dying dinosaur.

    It is important for our tax money to be going into the right places where the govt gets the best bang for buck and libaraies unfortunately sit at the bottom of that list.

    I really dont think the public should be fully paying for a service that has such limited use.
    Perhaps a subsidy but nothing more. Hence I believe funding is going in the right direction.

    However there is an opportunitry for Libraries to look at boosting thier funding with sponsorships, advertising, exhibits and membership fees. If they cant attact anything from such avenues then the public has spoken.

  • Bystander on 11/03/2019 - 19:49

    This is one of the places where I go to get free books
    https://www.gutenberg.org/

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