Doubt raised about claimed $1.1m shortfall threatening to shut libraries

Three much-loved community libraries are on the chopping block but the Geelong mayor says all should stay open. Here’s what he’s told the community.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan Picture: Mark Wilson

Greater Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan says there’s enough money in the city’s budget to keep all Geelong libraries open.

It comes as the community rallies with a “wave of anger” against a proposal by the region’s library manager to close sites at Geelong West, Highton and Barwon Heads.

More than 2000 people have signed petitions against the closures of libraries, and protests are planned for the weekend.

One petition organiser, Kate Stowell, said the community would “vote out” councillors “first chance we get” if Geelong libraries closed.

The region’s library manager said a $1.1m shortfall in the City of Greater Geelong council’s 2023-24 funding to it meant it proposed to close three libraries and chop opening hours at seven others.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said he did not support the closure of libraries and council would intervene if the Geelong Region Libraries Corporation (GRLC) couldn’t keep all Geelong libraries opened.

Asked about a council vote on the future of the Highton, Geelong West and Barwon Heads libraries, and if sites wouldn’t close as a result, Mr Sullivan said: “It’s certainly my position. All decisions to close libraries have to come back to a council decision of our own.”

Mr Sullivan told ABC radio council contributed more than $13m to operate libraries across the city.

“So there are funds there for library services. That can be bought in house if need be,” he said.

Mr Sullivan said a $244,000 increase to council’s funding of the GRLC in 2023-24 was enough to operate the region’s libraries.

A major revamp of the Drysdale library was recently completed which meant more staff were required to run the library. The Armstrong Creek library is due to open by May 2024.

GRLC chief executive Vanessa Schernickau said: “We are hoping we can still work with council to make sure none of those libraries close. There is a requirement that (Geelong council).... give us money to run new libraries.”

She said she wanted to meet with council to stop proposed library closures going ahead.

Kate Stowell, Save Geelong West Library petition organiser, said if said libraries closed councillors would bear the consequences.

“If (libraries close) people won’t take their kids to the library and that will be a crying shame,” Ms Stowell told ABC radio.

“It’s something that our communities just won’t forgive and forget over time.

“We will respond in kind and vote out the council first chance we get.

“There’s been a wave of anger and disbelief sweeping through the Geelong community when we heard that three of our vital and much-loved local libraries at Geelong West, Highton and

Barwon Heads (could) permanently closed by September 30.”

Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj, who has resigned from the GRLC board, said he was not convinced it would face a $1.1m shortfall in 2023-24.

“The practical completion of the Armstrong Creek library doesn’t come until May (2024) so the likelihood of that opening before the (2024-25) financial year is unlikely. Even if it was opened it would be a matter of 30 days.”

Mr Kontelj said the proposal to shut libraries “lacked real leadership, and social, community and financial acumen.”

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said community members had reached out to his office raising concerns about the proposed closure of the “much loved and much utilised” Highton library.

He said he would attend a community rally on Sunday from 10am at the library, which would

coincide with the City of Greater Geelong’s listening post in the Highton Village.

The Australian Services Union said Geelong council and the GRLC had underestimated the value community put on libraries.

Originally published as Doubt raised about claimed $1.1m shortfall threatening to shut libraries