THE Nationals' Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed the continuing support of the Victorian Government for public library services, with the Ararat Regional Library to receive an increase of funding.
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"The Minister for Local Government, Tim Bull, has just reaffirmed the Victorian Government's commitment to our public libraries," Mr Delahunty said.
Mr Delahunty said $39.52 million has been committed to the Public Libraries Funding Program for the 2014-15 period which is the highest amount of funding ever provided to public libraries in Victoria.
Ararat Rural City Council will receive $123,800 in funding.
Mr Delahunty said following a review the Coalition Government has adjusted the program's formula to ensure a fairer distribution of the $39.52 million dollars for Victoria's 54 public libraries and public library corporations. The percentage of recurrent library funding has increased from 11.6 percent to 51 percent for regional and rural libraries.
Ararat Rural City Mayor Cr Paul Hooper said the funding for Ararat Regional Library represented an increase of 8.26 per cent for 2014-2015.
"This is a great inclusion for our library services," he said.
"This funding supports the delivery of public library services and the ongoing programs currently in place within the Ararat Regional library, but we will also look to enhance further programs for the community.
"The services that we currently provide also include the Outreach Library Service which operates within the rural towns of Elmhurst, Willaura, Streatham and now Moyston was introduced early this year. Its' a great benefit to the rural areas to incorporate a library service that the communities can access on a weekly basis."
