Geelong Regional Library Corporation Budget reveals 38 hours to be slashed from weekly operating times

Geelong libraries are set to slash almost 40 hours from their weekly operating times, as the union for library workers warns more funding is needed from state and local governments.

Geelong libraries are set to slash almost 40 hours from their weekly operating times, as the union for library workers warns more funding is needed from state and local governments.

Geelong Regional Library Corporation’s (GRLC) proposal to cut weekly hours from 862 to 824 across its library services was revealed in its Draft Budget 2022-23 and Strategic Resource Plan 2022-26.

GRLC is scheduled to adopt the Draft Budget at its June 16 board meeting.

The Australian Services Union (ASU) this week called on greater funding for the GRLC to be provided by state and local governments – arguing library staff were “already reporting severe pressure on library services”.

“State and local governments should provide the GRLC with the resources needed to deliver the services communities expect,” ASU acting deputy secretary Tash Wark said.

“The draft budget identifies the cost pressures due to rate capping on member councils who provide most of the funding for Geelong Regional Library Corporation.

“The continual cost-shifting by the state government onto local government directly affects the library services available in the Barwon region.

“CPI has risen steeply over the last year, and state government funding isn’t keeping up.”

GRLC chief executive Vanessa Schernickau said the reduced hours of operation were in line with current operating hours – which resulted from hours cut in April as a “temporary” impact of Covid-19.

“The total 38-hour reduction spread across our 22 libraries reflects our current hours (introduced in April), reduced in response to COVID-19 staff shortages and changed customer usage patterns,” Ms Schernickau said.

“The changes have been implemented at the following libraries: Belmont, Drysdale, Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, Geelong West, Lara, Leopold, Newcomb, Ocean Grove, Waurn Ponds, Torquay, Bannockburn, Apollo Bay and Colac.

“As a community organisation, we review our operating hours regularly and adjust them as required to manage operational needs while ensuring we cater to the needs of our community.

“Our hours of operation have always been based on community need and changed over time.

“Our decision is based firmly on data about how communities use our libraries in the ‘post-lockdown’ environment and so we can ensure maximum value to them. These changes will not result in any reduction of hours for permanent GRLC staff, or job losses at the GRLC.”

Originally published as Geelong Regional Library Corporation Budget reveals 38 hours to be slashed from weekly operating times