Public library support
Local Government Victoria supports public libraries through a range of grants and other funding. Local Government Victoria is also responsible for governance issues relating to regional library corporations and Mechanics’ Institutes.
Funding and service agreements
Local Government Victoria administers the Government’s grants to libraries. This includes managing three year funding and service agreements with:
- 13 regional library services (each serving two or more councils)
- 33 single-council library services
- a state-wide library services for people with print disabilities
These funding and service agreements cover two program areas:
- core funding, which helps councils provide public library services
- local priorities funding, which supports specific local services identified by the library as a priority
Other one-off grants are also provided for public library services.
The Department of Planning and Community Development is currently reviewing its Funding Agreements.
Governance
Regional Library Corporations operate under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1989. Under the Act, libraries must operate and report using a structure similar to that of municipal councils. Each corporation has an agreement between its members which has been approved by the Minister for Local Government.
Premier's Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is a highly successful initiative that encourages young people to discover the benefits of reading. The program is open to all Victorian students from Prep to Year 10, and challenges students to read, to read more and to read more widely.Libraries play an important role in helping students undertake the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Local Government Victoria assists libraries by helping them provide reading materials found on the Challenge book list which is published annually in The Age and on the Challenge website.
Victorian Mechanics’ Institutes
The first Victorian Mechanics' Institute was established in 1839. At least six of the remaining Mechanics' Institute continue to provide library services. Read more about the Mechanics’ Institutes.
Annual public libraries survey
Local Government Victoria conducts an annual survey of the operations and management of Victorian public library services. The survey collects data on service points, membership, visits, staffing, materials, circulation, reference enquiries, information technology and finance. The results of this survey are produced around January each year. Find out more about the latest published statistics.
Find your local library
The many public libraries across the state offer Victorians young and old a wide range of services. Whether you’re interested in academic research, a bit of holiday reading, attending a seminar, hearing your favourite author speak or letting the kids listen to story time, libraries have something for everyone. Use our directory to find a library near you.