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.
- The Digital Literacy for Seniors Program provides funding for hands-on digital training programs for senior members of the community to better understand the internet, get the most out of laptops and tablets and learn how to use mobile phones and data.
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 $48.1 million in recurrent funding for the 2023-2024 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, and Your Library Ltd to provide accessible high-quality library infrastructure. The program funds new, redeveloped or refurbished public library infrastructure; and new or updated mobile libraries.
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 2023-2024 financial year.
Digital Literacy for Seniors Program
On 14 February 2023, the Minister for Local Government the Hon Melissa Horne MP announced $2 million for the Digital Literacy for Seniors Program. This funding has been provided to councils, regional library corporations, Myli - My Community Library Ltd and Vision Australia to support seniors to navigate and keep up with the ever-changing digital world through free training at their local library.
The program has been designed to:
- Improve wellbeing for people as they age through social connections and an inclusive community
- Improve communication and provision of information to increase community participation and connections and support older people to have a say in decisions that affect their lives
- Increase access to programming to enhance digital skills and ability and build confidence among senior Victorians
- Contribute to the achievement of outcomes under the Victorian Government Digital Strategy 2021-26, including the delivery of better, fairer, and more consistent services.
Funding can be used for a range of activities including the delivery of training programs, staffing costs to support these programs, minor changes to facilities and purchasing digital devices and software.
Local Government Victoria is delivering this initiative in consultation with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing – Seniors, Carers and Veterans and Public Libraries Victoria, to ensure alignment with the Victorian Government’s Digital Strategy 2021-26.
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
2023 - Directory of Public Library Services in Victoria - updated June 2023 (v4) PDF, 7426.32 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.
For more information visit Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria Inc.