By Mitchell Clarke
More than $2.7 million will be distributed to Casey Cardinia Libraries (CCL) as part of a record boost in State Government funding.
Local Government Minister Shaun Leane and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire will get $2.03 million and $680,000, respectively, to buy new books, run online services and deliver outreach programs.
Minister Leane said the funding would ensure CCL, which is one of Victoria’s largest public library services, could continue to “keep up the amazing work they’ve been doing”.
“Libraries really do change lives and they are about so much more than books,” he said.
Ms Crugnale, who is a “certified library lover” said services like CCL strengthen and enrich the community.
“I love libraries and the pandemic has accentuated their value and place in our community,” she said.
“They have always been so much more than books – they connect us to a nurturing and supportive place, a space to meet, one to dive into new learnings and there is always a comfy chair to just sit and be if it’s all too much and a table to work from as well.”
Ms Crugnale said the best part of the library environment was the staff, who she said have done an “extraordinary” job throughout a disrupted year.
“They deserve a very loud applause for their thoughtfulness and generosity of spirit because even with their doors closed this year. They have found new ways to keep their services going from virtual story time, to being out and about delivering books and that familiar reassuring voice on the end of the telephone too,” she said.
The funding falls under a record $56.9 million spend for Victorian libraries through the recent State Budget.
Casey Cardinia Libraries CEO Chris Buckingham described the boost as a “very welcome announcement”.
“We’re just really grateful to Jordan and the State Government. Jordan is a certified library lover and she’s been engaging with us here at the branch even before she was in Parliament,” he laughed.
“Given how tough the Victorian Budget was this year, it’s a great outcome for public libraries. This is funding that is going to allow us to keep the doors open and continue the work we do.
“I feel incredibly grateful and proud of the team. We’re all certainly looking forward to a much better year where we can take what we’ve learnt and achieve some new things.”
