Council libraries / Victorian Auditor-General's Office

Council libraries deliver a range of important services to the community. In addition to book lending, libraries offer a free, accessible space for the public, and deliver educational programs for children and adults. Libraries also provide access to the internet and electronic resources (e-resources), as technological advances change the public???s expectations of their services. Councils find it challenging to meet these expectations in a financially sustainable way. Under Victoria???s Local Government Act 1989 (the Act), councils must use their resources efficiently and effectively, and services they deliver must meet community needs. The introduction of rate capping in 2015, which restricts councils??? ability to increase revenue, adds to the challenge. Councils may contribute to their obligations by sharing library services. The Act allows two or more councils to do this by forming regional library corporations (RLC). This audit examines whether councils and RLCs deliver services efficiently and effectively. We used library data to identify whether shared services are more efficient, and assessed how well selected councils plan, monitor and review their library services to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness.