NEW - AUSTRALIAN LIBRARY and INFORMATION ASSOCIATION
ALIA and public libraries

Update: May 2010 - The low level of WA public library funding - add your voice!

In April 2010, ALIA was active, in collaboration with our WA colleagues, in advocating about the low level of public library funding, particularly for resources, in WA. ALIA's letter to the editor of the West Australian was published on 3 April. On 9 April 2010, Public Libraries WA (PLWA) issued an update statement about public library funding in WA. ALIA provided a template letter for ALIA members in WA to use to send a letter to their Legislative Assembly member, to the Premier or to the Minister for Culture & the Arts.

Following an extensive lobbying campaign, the Western Australian State Government has announced increased funding for the State Library and public libraries in the 2010/11 State Budget. The announcement was made four weeks before the tabling of the State Budget on 20 May 2010. State funding for public libraries will increase by more than 40% to $9.307 million in 2010/11 and, for the first time, will be indexed according to CPI in the following three years. Additionally, the State Library will receive an increase in funding for the purchase of materials, including heritage materials, in the State Library.

For more articles follow this link: [http://www.alia.org.au/publiclibraries/]