The NSW Public Libraries Association say the $23.5 million provided for public libraries in the 2018-19 Budget is the lowest state government contribution since 1999-2000 when the state contribution was $17.9 million, effectively winding back the clock by almost 20 years.

The NSW Labor policy released on 26 March 2018 pledges to increase the overall funding for NSW public libraries by $50 million in its first term of government.

Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields said libraries play so many different roles to people in the community and for the State Government to reduce its funding “borders on the insanity”.

“At a time when our communities are getting older.. the idea that Library funding is reduced borders on the insanity,” he said.

“To reduce funding for this very important service to the community shows a total failure and a misunderstanding from the government to meet the needs of our elderly community, especially when everyone knows the population is getting older.”

Cr Shields said the idea that libraries just have books doesn't exits anymore and that they play so many other roles.

“Libraries are about getting people and communities connected with each other. Whether that’s digitally.. or just a nice place where elderly people and students can go to in an environment fitting to their circumstance,” he said.

“It’s about providing a huge range of services to the community, particularly our most vulnerable members to the community, being young and old.”

Cr Shields said the State Government is currently “awash with funds”.

“They’ve sold Snowy Hydro worth 4.2 billion... they’ve got so much money they’re knocking down stadiums and rebuilding them.. but then on the other hand they’re coming up with a baseball bat to our elderly and to our young people and cutting funding to libraries,” he said.

Cr Shields said the problem is the State Government have continuous been slapping libraries (with funding cuts) for many years.

“It just shows the Government has fundamentally has got no understanding of the role libraries play and the demographics that the Australian population is moving into,” he said.

Country Deputy Chair of NSW Public Library’s Association Les Lambert said they did not anticipate a cut in funds.

He said the funding cuts would not only affect a libraries resources, but opening times and staff numbers. 

“...Our opening times may be shortened…. what happens first do you lose staff members or do you lose hours? If you lose hours you don’t need as many staff,” he said.

In small country towns, libraries can be the social hub and the funding cuts will have a domino affect, Mr Lambert said.

"One of the things libraries provide is a safe place for everyone,” he said. “Some of those after-school activities may have to be curtailed because they can’t keep the library open as long.

“Kids quite often meet their parents at libraries after school to get picked up because they know it’s a safe place.”

Mr Lambert said it was interesting that the Labor party want to put $50 million in and the Liberal party has dropped the funds.

“I think they (Liberal) need to rethink the idea of how important libraries are to communities because they really are so important,” he said.

Mr Lambert said libraries are the lounge rooms of every local Council.

“People use libraries from zero to 90 years of age… there’s not only tech savy workshops for seniors but story and rhyme time for parents and children,” he said.

Cr Dallas Tout, President of NSW Public Libraries Association said these new cuts constituted a major blow to library services that were highly valued by local communities.

Mr Tout said before this new funding cut, the NSW Government contribution to public library funding was already at historic lows.

“At just 7.8 per cent of total funding, the NSW Government contribution to libraries was already the lowest of every state in Australia, and far behind Victoria (18 per cent) and Queensland (12 per cent),” he said.

“This most recent budget cut further widens the gap, unfairly placing an additional funding burden onto local councils whose budgets are already stretched providing local infrastructure.”

Mr Tout invited the NSW Minister for the Arts, the Hon. Don Harwin, to inform NSW Councils how he anticipates they will provide 2018 library service levels in an environment of increasing demand on a 20-year old budget allocation.

“This drastic budget cut also flies in the face of the recommendation of the NSW Government’s very own expert panel, the Library Council of NSW which, in consultation with the State Library of NSW and the NSW Public Libraries Consultative Committee, recommended an increase in public library funding for 2018-19,” he said.

“It also stands in stark contrast to the NSW Labor policy released on 26 March 2018, which pledges to increase the overall funding for NSW public libraries by $50 million in its first term of government.”

Mr Tout said he calls on the NSW Government not just to urgently reverse this decision, but to significantly increase funding to public libraries.

“Our network of 368 public libraries across metropolitan and regional NSW are vital infrastructure in supporting education, literacy and community engagement,” he said.

“We need an urgent increase in funding and a commitment to a sustainable funding model to make sure our libraries can continue to provide the services the community needs and to build the libraries of the future.”