While the state government contributed 23.6 per cent of total operating costs of public libraries in 1980, only 4.16 per cent was contributed in the last financial year.

NSW also has the lowest per-capita contribution to public libraries of all the state and territories in Australia. Since 1980, NSW Government contributions have tripled from $8.5 million to $22.4 million, while Local Government contributions have increased ten-fold from $27.5 million to $265 million.

The NSW Public Libraries Day of Action has been initiated by Public Libraries NSW – Country and will occur when both houses of NSW Parliament are sitting.

Yass Valley Council’s General Manager Kerry McMurray told the Tribune the majority of costs associated with running the Yass Valley Library have to be met by Council, as little comes from the state government in maintenance funding. Federal government grants are often scarce and small too, Mr McMurray said.

“It’s one good example of cost-shifting,” he said.

“Funding libraries are absolutely the responsibility of the state government. Yet council has been forced to fund more and more each year, sourcing money from the capital works budget. This means we can afford to spend less on upgrading other infrastructure [roads etc].”

Mr McMurray said it was a pity the state government had gradually reduced funding for libraries, as Yass Valley Library has seen significant growth in recent years.

Yass Valley Councillor and Deputy Mayor Judith Williams, a long advocate for public libraries, said tomorrow is a timely reminder of the concerns of public libraries across the state.

“There just isn’t adequate funding from the state government to keep our libraries sustainable. Only a very small amount of funding comes in from photocopying, print-outs and the occasional fine,” Cr Williams said.

“Libraries are an essential service for everyone in the community. They are especially essential for elderly people with limited financial resources. Libraries also help educate the community, giving people a better quality of life through an appreciation and understanding of the resources there.