Public libraries in Victoria (except the State Library, Vision Australia Library, and Mechanics' Institute libraries) are owned and operated by the relevant council or through a regional library corporation, Myli - My Community Library Ltd, or Your Library Ltd.
Libraries are no longer a place just for borrowing books. They are places where the community can access e-resources, wifi, computers, meeting rooms, art spaces, and diverse child, youth, and adult programs. Public libraries are vibrant community hubs that provide all Victorians universal access to information. They offer a safe space for social interaction, digital connection, lifelong learning, and rich cultural experiences.
Through Local Government Victoria (LGV), the Victorian Government works alongside councils, regional library corporations, Myli - My Community Library Ltd, Your Library Ltd, and Vision Australia to provide quality library facilities for all Victorians.
Our public library funding programs include:
- The Public Libraries Funding Program provides annual funding for library operations.
- The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program provides funding for public library infrastructure projects.
- The Premiers' Reading Challenge Book Fund provides funding for the purchase of books and other materials to support children and young people undertaking the annual Premiers' Reading Challenge.
Public Libraries Funding Program
The Public Libraries Funding Program provides annual funding to councils, regional library corporations, Myli - My Community Library Ltd, Your Library Ltd, and Vision Australia for the provision of public library services. This funding contributes to the purchase of collection items (physical and electronic), information technology, library and outreach programs, and other services provided by Victorian public libraries.
The Public Libraries Funding Program has been allocated $48.2 million in recurrent funding for the 2024-2025 financial year to support Victoria's public libraries.
Living Libraries Infrastructure Program
The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program assists Victorian councils, regional library corporations, Myli - My Community Library Ltd, Your Library Ltd, and Vision Australia to provide accessible high-quality library infrastructure. Visit Living Libraries Infrastructure Program for more information.
Premiers' Reading Challenge Book Fund
The highly successful Premiers’ Reading Challenge encourages children and young people to discover the benefits of reading.
The Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund assists public libraries by providing an annual allocation to councils, regional library corporations, Myli - My Community Library Ltd, Your Library Ltd, and Vision Australia to buy materials to support the annual Premiers’ Reading Challenge.
The Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund has been allocated $1.1 million for the 2024-2025 financial year.
Further information
For more information on public library funding, please contact: plfp@dgs.vic.gov.au
Find a library
Public Libraries Victoria - Locate your nearest branch
Directory of Public Library Services in Victoria
2025 - Directory of Public Library Services in Victoria - v2 updated Feb 2025 PDF, 7502.67 KB
and 2025 List - Public LIbrary Services PDF, 108.79 KB
Annual survey of Victorian public libraries
Each year, Victorian public libraries are surveyed about their services. The survey includes information about service points, staffing, loans, circulation, collection size, information technology and financial data.
Visit Public Libraries Victoria for the annual surveys.
Victorian Mechanics' Institutes
Mechanics’ Institutes were established in Victoria during the 1800s to provide community facilities and amenities, including library services. Some Mechanics’ Institutes continue to provide library services.
The operation of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria, particularly in relation to the sale or transfer of land, comes under Section 4 of the Libraries Act 1988, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Local Government.