Recreation and culture


Recreation and cultural services include a broad range of programs, events and activities provided by local council. These vary from council to council. Contact your local council to find out about local services.

Programs, events and activities may include:

  • halls and public buildings
  • sport and recreation (sports grounds, swimming pools, support for clubs, junior development programs)
  • leisure and arts (public art, theatre productions, public festivals and events)
  • parks, gardens and reserves (including walking and bike trails)
  • libraries and museums (static and mobile library services)
  • historic buildings and places
  • co-ordinating one off events(arts festivals, national/international sports events, local Australia Day celebrations

Council involvement can be as an organiser, as a lead agency in securing funding, as a source of funds itself (eg through minor grants programs to community groups), as a source of information and advice and as the operator of a recreation or cultural facility.

There is often close co-operation between councils and the community to run recreation and culture programs and facilities. Councils also work in partnership with other tiers of government to fund and co-ordinate new activities or facilities.

Libraries

Every council in Victorian provides a library service for its community. In some cases, library services are provided jointly by a number of councils under a regional library agreement. Library services may be provided at fixed locations or as mobile services.

While libraries traditionally provide book borrowing services, their roles have diversified in recent years in line with changes in technology. Libraries in Victoria now provide a wide range of services, including:

  • Book borrowing
  • Internet access
  • Computer search facilities
  • Lending DVDs, CDs, and audio cassettes
  • Toy libraries
  • Connecting people with government services
  • Promoting local cultural activity and art
  • Supporting access to business information
  • Provision of training opportunities

The specific services will, of course, vary from library to library. Contact your local library to find out what services it provides.

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