Public library grants for Independent Libraries
The scheme, operational since 1945, is administered by the Library Board of Queensland. The scheme was altered in 1994/95 with funding to be spent only on bookstock.
The funding methodology was reviewed in 2005 and again in 2008 when a significant change to the methodology was adopted. The revised model was accepted for a 3 year term, current until 30 June 2011.
Timeframes
Written funding offers are circulated to local governments following release of the annual calculations. Payments are made quarterly.
Who is eligible for funding?
The scheme provides cash grants to local governments, operating independent public libraries.
What can funding be used for?
The grant is provided for the purchase of library materials in line with the broad definition of material prescribed by section 70 of the Libraries Act 1988 [new window].
A proportion of the grant funding may be spent on discretionary projects.
Does GST apply?
The Australian Taxation Office [new window] has advised the grant is considered as an appropriation and as such GST does not apply.
How is funding calculated?
The public library grant methodology was reviewed in 2008.
The previous methodology was solely based on population size. The new methodology aims to better meet the needs of Queensland communities by including the following demographic factors:
- 66% of available grant distributed as an equal per capita component;
- 30% of available grant distributed on weightings reflecting:
a) population growth rate;
b) proportion of people aged 60 years and over, and aged 0-14
years; - 4% of available grant distributed relative to proportion of Indigenous population.
The sum of the above three components is then weighted by:
- a location index (derived from Local Government Grants
Commission); - a dispersion index derived from the number of separate library
services (including mobiles) and the population density.
What population data is used?
Funding is calculated using Australian Bureau of Statistics data and the latest annual updated estimates available at the time that the budget figures are released.
What funding conditions apply?
The funding conditions include:
- Completion of a Public Libraries Outcome Report [new window
237 kb] detailing the Local Governments compliance with its obligations under the Service Level Agreement [new window 
40 kb] and the operational standards outlined in the Library Board's Queensland Public Library standards and guidelines. - Provision of statistics for the Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin, in electronic format on the collection form provided.
- Discretionary projects - Discretionary funding for Independent libraries will be fixed at 30% of the total of the public library grant funding provided annually to individual libraries for the term of the current Service Level Agreement [new window 40 kb]. The remaining funding must be spent on new library materials and does not include purchases for corporate libraries.
Can funding be suspended or withdrawn?
If expenditure requirements are not met, the Library Board may impose penalties in accordance with the conditions in the Service Level Agreement [new window 40 kb].
Acknowledgement of Financial Assistance
Acknowledgement of the funding received from the Library Board must be made by the Local Government when making any public statement or providing publicity material in relation to collections or services. Additionally, recognition of State Government support should be noted at the entrance to all library facilities.
Reviewing the funding quantum
The grant funding is automatically indexed each year for population growth.
Reporting
Reporting of annual grant expenditure, that is, who receives what monies, is listed in the annual report of the State Library of Queensland.
More information
If you have an enquiry regarding these grants, please contact us:
- Telephone +61 7 3842 9051
- Fax +61 7 3840 7860
- Email pls@slq.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 18th September 2009
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