Library grant to extend opening hours

Published on 20 June 2025

The Horsham Library has secured $39,333 in funding from the State Government as part of its Living Libraries Infrastructure Project (LLIP).

The LLIP supports regional library corporations and local Councils with funding to enhance library services for their communities.

At Horsham Library, this funding will go towards the Open Access Fit-Out — an initiative that will enable community members to access the library facilities until midnight, seven days a week.

The grant will assist with upgrades including CCTV, automatic doors, motion detection, automatic lighting and keypad entry.

With these upgrades in place, the community will have access to computers, printers, books, DVDs and study areas around the clock.

It is hoped that extended access to library services will support residents’ educational and recreational needs, without restricting use to daylight hours.

“This project is all about addressing direct community feedback,” said Co-ordinator of Wimmera Libraries Sarah Wiesner.

“When we last consulted the community, there was overwhelming support for extended opening hours, especially during the Summer months where it serves as a refuge from the heat, and on weeknights and weekends, so that working families are not excluded,”

“The community has consistently told Council and the former Corporation that opening hours are the single biggest barrier to access. The Open Access project aims to remove this barrier for everybody.”

 More information regarding this project will be communicated in the coming months, as part of a larger community consultation.