Libraries Board of South Australia’s operating budget to be reduced by $2.8 million over three years

SOUTH Australia’s public libraries and the State Library face multimillion-dollar budget cuts that will affect services and opening hours.

The State Library of SA is among several facing severe budget cuts. Picture: @nav_phil

SOUTH Australia’s public libraries and the State Library face “savage” multimillion-dollar budget cuts amid fears it will leave services decimated.

The Advertiser has learned of a State Government plan to slash the Libraries Board of South Australia’s operating budget by at least $2.8 million over the next three years.

The restructure is also examining funding cuts of council-managed public libraries by “several million dollars”.

Officials admit such a significant cut to the LBSA’s $12 million operating budget will prompt job losses and affect services as well as opening hours.

The North Terrace-based State Library faces a funding black hole next financial year of at least $800,000. A further $800,000 cut is proposed for 2019/20 and then another $1.2 million the next year.

The four-year funding plan was introduced by the former Labor Government. Library management has since used lucrative bequests to fund exhibitions and other public education programs. Up to 75 per cent of its operating budget covers staff costs.

No funds are currently available for any further redundancy packages, meaning its operating budget faces being in “deficit”.

Officials admit the budget cuts will prompt job losses and a significant effect on services and opening hours of libraries.

The LBSA’s rules prevent bequests being used to fund redundancies, meaning it will struggle to plug budget gaps.

But government documents show its board and senior management — who also oversee the state’s 143 public libraries — have grappled with the “shortfall” issues. Board minutes for March reveal debate on whether the “library needs to re-examine its Strategic Plan in light of these (deficits) and predicted further staffing cuts”.

Chairman James Bruce said he was “perplexed” by the cuts introduced by Labor.

“The budgets we have to produce … could prevent us opening the doors as of next year because we have not got sufficient funds,” he said on Friday.

“We are entrusted with the bequest funds for specific projects and they are not mixed with general revenue.”

Local Government Association spokeswoman Lisa Teburea said libraries were “vital community hubs”. “Any cuts in funding to libraries would be a travesty and the impact would be felt throughout our communities,” she said.

Public Service Association general secretary Nev Kitchin described the cuts as “savage”.

Arts SA boss Peter Louca was unavailable for comment.

A government spokesman said on Friday night: “The State Library was given a major savings task by the former state Labor government.

“Decisions regarding future funding will form part of the 2018-19 State Budget process.”