ALIA-APLA Submission on local government sustainability to the Standing Committee Enquiry on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport

Public libraries play a vital role in local communities. They ensure that every Australian, no matter their economic means, is able to access information, assistance, education, community engagement and at a very basic level, a temperature controlled safe space. They support social cohesion, community wellbeing local history, the arts, culture and literacy. The submission notes the funding streams that public libraries receive from local governments, which has declined in per capita funding in the last five year period, while demands on public libraries have increased around support for federal government service delivery. 
 
ALIA APLA's submission made the following recommendations:
 
1. ALIA APLA supports the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) call to increase Federal Assistance Grants to local councils.   
2. Library experts are invited to participate in relevant intergovernmental committees and policy networks, and grants are revised to ensure that public library services are eligible. 
3. Federal government departments proactively contact and collaborate with ALIA APLA when the delivery of government programs will impact/rely on public library services. 
4. Federal government departments explore ways to partner with public libraries to deliver and fund national projects. 
5. A scholarship program for regional skills shortages is established to upskill people already working in local councils, including library staff. 
6. The federal government provides funding for national support programs for public libraries through ALIA APLA.