❓ Mr Miles asks about the new funding model for local libraries, and the Minister for Culture and the Arts, Mr Day, responds by outlining the increased funding, the development of a new distribution model based on population and disadvantage, and the impact on local governments.
AnsweredQoN 638Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LIBRARIES — FUNDING
I note that a new way of funding books for local libraries has been developed that builds on the fact that this government has provided a record amount of funding for libraries. Can the minister please outline how many libraries will receive further funding increases under this new model, and how this new model was developed? Mr J.H.D. DAY
I note that a new way of funding books for local libraries has been developed that builds on the fact that this government has provided a record amount of funding for libraries. Can the minister please outline how many libraries will receive further funding increases under this new model, and how this new model was developed? Mr J.H.D. DAY
AnswerView source ↗
I am very pleased to speak about funding for public libraries in our community because they are very important. They are important as community centres; they are important in providing recreation; and they are important in providing information to people, and a range of other activities. As most members will be aware we made a decision as a government, in the preparation of this year’s state budget, to increase the funding allocation for public library materials by a substantial amount, in excess of 40 per cent—up to $9.3 million in the current financial year. In following financial years it will be indexed according to population increases. That is the first time there has been a sustainable increase in funding provided on a predictable basis for public libraries. Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: I am very pleased to speak about funding for public libraries in our community because they are very important. They are important as community centres; they are important in providing recreation; and they are important in providing information to people, and a range of other activities. As most members will be aware we made a decision as a government, in the preparation of this year’s state budget, to increase the funding allocation for public library materials by a substantial amount, in excess of 40 per cent—up to $9.3 million in the current financial year. In following financial years it will be indexed according to population increases. That is the first time there has been a sustainable increase in funding provided on a predictable basis for public libraries. Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
I am very pleased to speak about funding for public libraries in our community because they are very important. They are important as community centres; they are important in providing recreation; and they are important in providing information to people, and a range of other activities. As most members will be aware we made a decision as a government, in the preparation of this year’s state budget, to increase the funding allocation for public library materials by a substantial amount, in excess of 40 per cent—up to $9.3 million in the current financial year. In following financial years it will be indexed according to population increases. That is the first time there has been a sustainable increase in funding provided on a predictable basis for public libraries. Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
Mr J.H.D. DAY replied: I am very pleased to speak about funding for public libraries in our community because they are very important. They are important as community centres; they are important in providing recreation; and they are important in providing information to people, and a range of other activities. As most members will be aware we made a decision as a government, in the preparation of this year’s state budget, to increase the funding allocation for public library materials by a substantial amount, in excess of 40 per cent—up to $9.3 million in the current financial year. In following financial years it will be indexed according to population increases. That is the first time there has been a sustainable increase in funding provided on a predictable basis for public libraries. Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
I am very pleased to speak about funding for public libraries in our community because they are very important. They are important as community centres; they are important in providing recreation; and they are important in providing information to people, and a range of other activities. As most members will be aware we made a decision as a government, in the preparation of this year’s state budget, to increase the funding allocation for public library materials by a substantial amount, in excess of 40 per cent—up to $9.3 million in the current financial year. In following financial years it will be indexed according to population increases. That is the first time there has been a sustainable increase in funding provided on a predictable basis for public libraries. Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
Part of what has been happening to public libraries in this state is there has also been a lot of attention given to the development of a new model for the distribution of those funds—$9.3 million in the current financial year—across the public libraries. Public libraries are operated by local governments throughout Western Australia. In particular over the past couple of years discussions have been undertaken between the State Library of Western Australia and the WA Local Government Association with a view to developing a new model. That model has been agreed by both organisations. It means there will now be a more transparent process. Some of the previous inconsistencies and some of the special arrangements that led to inequities will be removed. The new model is essentially driven by population determinations in response to demand for public library services. It also acknowledges and responds to disadvantages in providing library services, particularly on a geographical basis across the state. There is now a minimum allocation for each local government in the state. It has increased from approximately $9 600 up to about $17 200, which is a significant increase. It means that 87 per cent of local governments throughout the state will receive an increase in the allocation of funds in the current financial year compared with what otherwise would have been only been 30 per cent of local governments receiving an increase. It is also important to note that the new model will be reviewed after one year. Obviously, some local governments are receiving a reduced allocation compared with what would have otherwise been the case, but it is all being done on a much fairer basis. The State Library will communicate with the relatively small number of local governments that receive a reduced allocation. I think most of them are already well aware of that. As I understand it, the local government sector well understands the rationale for the new model that has been put in place by agreement with WALGA on behalf of local governments.
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