samantha in the press - libraries

Hub reading booked in Yarra Ranges
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
6 Jan 2012

samantha in the press - libraries

Status quo on eastern library funds
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Michelle McCullough
23 August 2011

Yarra Ranges teens rewrite the book
Leader Newspapers
by Alex Munro
23 August 2011

samantha in the press - libraries

Library service for Monbulk
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
17 Aug 2011

a new age for libraries

Yarra Ranges is currently reviewing it's library services and we'd like to know what you think. We want to know what you like about your library and what you'd like to see improved.
You can let us know a couple of ways, you can complete an online survey here or come along to one of our focus groups.

Focus groups will be held:

Monday 18 July - 11:15am to 12:15pm Mooroolbark Library
Monday 18 July - 2:00pm to 3:00pm Mt Evelyn Library
Tuesday 26 July - 3:00pm to 4:00pm Upper Yarra Family Centre, Yarra Junction
Wednesday 27 July - 11:00am to 12:00pm Healesville Library
Wednesday 27 July - 2:00pm to 3:00pm Lilydale Library
Thursday 28 July - 10:00am to 11:00am Belgrave Library
Thursday 28 July - 3:00pm to 4:00pm Montrose Library

To book a focus group near you click here or phone Jackie Elward on 1300 368 333, bookings are essential as places are limited.

library funding cuts

report from the roundtable - 12 Jul

I raised the issue of state government cuts to recurrent public library funding as an urgent motion for council to consider.

I thought it was important that council was aware of the issue and considered our position as soon as possible rather than waiting for the next council meeting on the 26th July.

My motion read:
That council:
1) Write to local MPs and the Minister for Local Government requesting:
a) An explanation of why library funding for the Earstern Regional Libraries, both recurrent and indexed, has been reduced for the upcoming year.
b) Immediate reinstatement of indexed funding for libraries.

2) Develop an advocacy plan to lobby local MPs and the Minister to reinstate library funding.

The timing of this funding cut couldn't be worse, Yarra Ranges Council has already signed off on its budget and we only found out about the funding cuts when the CEO of Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation (of which I'm Deputy Chairperson of the board) received the funding agreeement.

For Yarra Ranges and our residents it means a cut of $27,466 in recurrent operational funding for our libraries. There is a real irony given that 2012 is the national year of reading, not a particularly good start. The state government is willing to provide funding to build libraries, supports the Premier's Reading Challenge but has no problem reducing library funding without even consulting with local government.

This funding reduction puts an even greater burden on ratepayers, at a time when we see the state government continually diminishing the amount it invests in library services, now down to a measly 19.2%.

What services will need to be cut, which book stocks can no longer be purchased, this is the reality of operational funding cuts to our libraries.

I have to ask is this state government truly committed to life long learning, literacy and community wellbeing. We have to ensure that at every opportunity we raise the issue with our state government MPs until this funding is reinstated.

I'm pleased to say the motion was supported by councillors unanimously.

library funding cuts - unannounced and unwelcome

It was disappointing to learn that the Eastern Regional Libraries has received a funding cut from the state government (along with most library corporations across the state), unannounced and only revealed as the library received its annual funding agreement.

At a time when the ERL is casting it's budget for 2011/12, the timing of the funding cut couldn't be worse timed. In the case of Yarra Ranges it means a $5,000 cut on last year's funding and a cut of $ 27,500 on the forecast funding*. So not only a loss of the monies received under the recurrent Public Libraries Grant Program but a loss of indexation funding too.

*note: The forecast funding is made up of last year's funding allocation with the state government's cpi rate of 2.75% applied to make up the total amount anticipated.

There has been no explantion provided by the Government for the cut in funding and given the Yarra Ranges Council has already signed off on its budget for 2011/12, it now puts us in a position of funding shortfall in our budget for our libraries.

State Government funding for libraries has been consistently cut over the years with local government continuing to pick up the slack, but enough is enough. The government needs to reinstate our funding and make a commitment to lifelong learning and the ongoing literacy and learning of our society through library services.

samantha in the press - libraries

Works threaten to shelve Lilydale library service
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Melissa Cunningham
14 June 2011

samantha in the press - libraries

Library closure rebuff
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
18 May 2011

mooroolbark library turns 25

Last week saw Mooroolbark Library turn 25. The community turned out in droves to celebrate, it was obvious that the library is a well loved and supported community space.

Part of the celebration included the unveiling of a quilt made by a local quilting group. Cheryl Young (convenor of the quilt) was inspired to make a quilt for Mooroolbark after a trip to Castlemaine library. She asked 5 of her friends if they’d contribute and Carmel Basile, Lorraine Walker, Lyla Welsh, Helen Loosley and Liz Vincent all agreed to take on the venture.

Sadly Helen passed away before completing her section of the quilt, so the ladies completed her work for her. Her husband Peter assisted me with the official unveiling of the quilt which was a fitting tribute to Helen and a wonderful gift for the library.

The making of the quilt was also supported by the Mooroolbark Community Bank Bendigo Bank, Sandlyn House Edge to Edge Quilting Services.

After a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, Peter and I cut the cake, which proved to be popular with young and old.

library lends a hand

Earlier this week, as chairperson of the Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation (ERL), I had the priviledge of handing over a donation to the CFA - Region 13. Bill Lahey from Region 13 attended on behalf of the CFA to accept the donation.

Earlier this year the ERL Board took the decision to donate one week's worth of late fees to the local CFA as way to show our thanks to the CFA volunteers. Collection tins were also put around the library network where further funds were collected. All in all $8,000 was donated to the CFA - Region 13, this money will be put to upgrading a smaller vehicle with more equipment so it is of greater use during emergency situations.

Pictured left to right: Cr Len Cox - Mayor Yarra Ranges and ERL Board member, Cr Paul McDonald - City of Maroondah and ERL Board member, me - Yarra Ranges councillor and Chairperson of ERL, Joseph Cullen - CEO ERL and Bill Lahey - Finance Manager CFA Region 13.

The CFA volunteers are an amazing group of people. In talking to my local brigade I was awed to hear than many of them had not been to work for two weeks straight at the time of Black Saturday. Most poignant and heart rendering for me was Drew, the CFA volunteer from Yarra Glen, who watched his own house go up in flames while he was out saving other people's homes. Their sacrifices are enormous, our thanks are great and heartfelt and this donation was a small way to say thank you from the library community.

join me for afternoon tea

I welcome you to join me for an afternoon tea at the Lilydale Library where, as Chairperson of the Eastern Regional Libraries Board, I will be thanking CFA - Region 13 for their great work during the recent bushfires.

Donations raised through the libraries and a week of late fines will be donated to the CFA - Region 13 to say thankyou for the CFA's great work during the recent bushfires.

The ERL Board thought it was really important to recognise the outstanding efforts of the CFA Brigades and decided to donate funds raised through the library network to Region 13. The CFA's efforts remind us of the immense contribution they and all volunteers make, in helping our communities through difficult and traumatic times.

Details:
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson Street, Lilydale
When: Thursday 7th May, 2:30pm