Forbes Library is set to benefit from a record boost in funding, with the State Government delivering $36.5 million in funding to NSW public libraries in 2019/20.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW State Librarian John Vallance welcomed this significant increase announced as part of the NSW State Budget in 2019, which will see a total of $60 million in additional government funding going to public libraries over four years.
Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller said: "We love our Forbes Library and the funding increases will make a huge difference in helping our library to better meet the growing demands of our readers and communities."
The Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the new funding will provide increases to public library per capita subsidies, and a more transparent model for the allocation of other funds to councils based on local need.
"All councils will receive increases to their annual payments, enabling improvements to public library collections, opening hours and services."
The new funding package also includes a capital grants program of $24 million over four years which will enable improvements to library buildings and IT systems.
The State Library will work closely with councils on library improvement projects as the funding is allocated.
In addition to the public library funding increase, the NSW Budget allocates $500,000 per annum to the State Library for Vision Australia to enable the provision of expanded services and a greater selection of audio and braille books to the 126,000 people who are blind or have low vision in NSW.
Also making news: