Rally at Geelong West library against reduced hours, job cuts

Geelong residents have protested against planned library changes, after it was revealed weekend hours at facilities across Geelong are set to be slashed.

Geelong West mum Kristen with kids Hailey, 9 (right) and Parker, 3 (centre) at the Geelong West library rally.

Geelong residents have rallied against slashed library hours and potential job cuts after it was revealed weekend access is set to be reduced.

Hundreds of people of all ages gathered across Geelong West Library on Saturday morning andHighton Library on Sunday to protest.

Protests were initially planned in response to a proposal to close three of the region’s libraries.

The rally at Highton Library.

After crisis talks with the council this week, the Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) said on Friday libraries in Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton would not close.

But a $762,000 budget shortfall for GRLC will mean from July 1 no libraries in Greater Geelong will be open on Saturday afternoons or Sunday, except Geelong Library.

Geelong West and Highton libraries currently already closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, but other libraries around the region would see their hours reduced under the change.

Rally at Geelong West library.

Anne McMahon, co-organiser of the Highton rally, said the new approach was “death by a thousand cuts”.

She said the community wanted transparency, accountability and a long term continuity plan for funding.

Anne McMahon at the Highton rally.

Angela Carr told the Geelong West crowd how she had struggled with depression due to isolation when she had her kids.

“The librarians were always so kind and welcoming,” Ms Carr, one of the rally’s organisers, said.

“It was a really safe and inclusive place for me.

“I’m not the only one that has this story.

“Libraries are more than books.”

She told the Addy: “We’ve decided to proceed today because we don’t accept any reduced hours.”

“For many members of the community they access their libraries on weekends and after hours,” she said.

“We need these services.

“While we are happy to hear that the libraries will remain open, it’s not good enough.

“Both council and GRLC need to negotiate with each other in good faith and come to a workable solution for the community.”

Attendees chanted “shame”.

Geelong West mum Kristen attended the rally with kids Hailey, 9, and Parker, 3.

Kristen said she regularly used the library and it was “really important” for children’s learning.

Hailey said it kept her reading up during the pandemic.

“I like taking my brother here and finding books for him,” she said.

Services at the Geelong Heritage Centre are set to be reduced and existing GRLC staff vacancies may not be filled.

Decisions will need to be ticked off by the council and GRLC in coming weeks.

When the GRLC proposed to close libraries, council told it to tighten its belt and threatened to take control of libraries in-house.

The GRLC won’t get the $762,000 it requested from the City to operate the newly-opened Boronggook Drysdale Library next financial year.

The GRLC will instead have to find savings from other parts of its operation to run the library.

Geelong council said the new Armstrong Creek library’s opening would be delayed until after July 1, 2024 due to construction delays and to manage funding pressure on the GRLC.

When council was under administration in 2017, a move to close Chilwell, Highton and Barwon Heads libraries was overturned following a wave of community backlash.

Another rally outside City Hall is planned for before Tuesday evening’s council meeting.

Originally published as Rally at Geelong West library against reduced hours, job cuts