Arts Minister guarantees no WA libraries will close
Arts Minister John Day has pledged that no public libraries will close on his watch after it emerged some could be under threat because of Government demands for the State Library of Western Australia to cut costs.
His assurance came after the ABC revealed on Monday that the State Library board had been warned many small regional and remote public libraries would close if it stopped the services it currently provides to them.
There are 232 public libraries across WA, and groups that represent them say the State Library provides critical support services to those smaller libraries.
This includes about 12 per cent of their funding, exchanges, help with ordering, delivery of materials, training and online enquiry services.
Mr Day said while options were being explored to find savings, they had not been agreed to by the Government.
"And certainly any decision that would result in the closure of public libraries around Western Australia would be strongly opposed by me and it's not going to happen," he said.
"We are going through a process at the moment.
"It's actually a budget driven process under the authority of the Treasurer, it's not driven out of the Arts portfolio but obviously we are funded from the general state budget and therefore we have to play our part in at least looking at what the options are.
"But I entirely agree public libraries throughout WA play an essential role and they are going to continue to play that role.
"I love public libraries myself and they are very important for the community."
Another option being considered by the State Library is to reduce its opening hours.
Shutting State Library at weekends would be 'embarrassing'
Mr Day said he had not had any direct discussions with the library about the proposed cuts, but it would be embarrassing if the State Library was closed on weekends.
"I would be very concerned if there was any situation that meant the State Library wasn't open on weekends," he said.
Australian Library and Information Association CEO Sue McKerracher said she was extremely concerned about the planned cuts to both the State Library and public libraries.
"The State Library at the moment is providing an excellent services for the citizens of Western Australia," she said.
"Just simply on the opening hours front, it's currently on a par with New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian and Victoria.
"If the cuts to opening hours go ahead it will put it way behind those other major State Libraries which all open at weekends."
State Opposition arts spokeswoman Michelle Roberts called on the Government to exempt the State Library from any further cost-cutting measures.
"I take no comfort at all from John Day's words, they're just words," she said.
"I'd like to see the State Library quarantined from these draconian cuts, they cannot afford to have more cuts.
"It's just incomprehensible that such a service could be restricted in its opening hours.
"Year after year there's been so called efficiency dividends, otherwise known as budget cuts, to our State Library and WA Museum services ... there's no fat left on the bone.
"From what I understand, the State Library board will have no other choice but to restrict services in country areas or to reduce the hours of the State Library."
