Sydenham library has been abuzz with book worms and youngsters keen to be part of Libraries and Information Week.
Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins and Brimbank council’s chief administrator John Watson joined Ranjeeta and her daughter, Siya, at Sydenham library during last week’s celebrations and activities.
“It’s a pleasure to visit Sydenham library again and see just how much local residents are using and engaging with their local library,” Ms Hutchins said.
Ms Hutchins used the occasion to announce a record boost of $40.51 million to the state government’s public libraries funding program for 2015-16. The program supports ongoing library services for councils, regional libraries and Vision Australia.
Ms Hutchins said the Living Libraries infrastructure program and the Premiers’ Reading Challenge book fund will share in $5.4 million as part of the 2015-16 state budget.
The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is an annual competition that encourages students to choose and read from more than 7000 titles.
The fund also helps public libraries purchase new books from its list.
“The Andrews’ Labor government’s funding boost recognises that libraries are at the heart of our communities,” Ms Hutchins said.
Yasemin Talat
