Rene Julies
Thu, 31 Jul 2025
Library service and archives receives large allocation for the 2025/2026 financial year despite financial constraints.
The department of sports, arts and culture says, library service and archives, the largest programme within the Department Sport, Arts and Culture received an allocation of R206 Million 554 thousand for the 2025/2026 financial year as was announced by MEC Mangaliso Matika during the budget vote earlier this week.
The Department states that this follows despite ongoing budget constraints. The Department says a significant 97% of this allocation comes from the Community Library Conditional Grant, with the remaining portion supporting Provincial Archives.
The Department states that it received confirmation from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture that the Community Libraries Grant will conclude in March 2027. Introduced in the 2007/08 financial year, this grant has been instrumental in expanding the provincial library network.
According to the department, preparations are underway to compile a comprehensive Impact and Exit Report, which will be submitted to EXCO and the National Department.
