Utrecht Library will receive extra money from the government, which will allow four locations to open their doors for longer. The 800,000 euros is a significant contribution, but there remains a structural deficit for 2025 and beyond.
The Hoograven, Kanaleneiland, Leidsche Rijn Centrum and Overvecht district libraries can be open an extra ten hours every week from September. The government provides extra money for this.
The money is a welcome contribution, because the financial situation of Utrecht Library remains difficult. DUIC previously wrote extensively about the possible closures of locations because there was insufficient money. The municipality decided several times to make extra money available to make up for the shortages.
The future deficit is now lower than feared at the beginning of last year. “Thanks to an indexation on the subsidy in 2024 that will continue to have a structural effect and the fact that we are making cuts and earning more, this is considerably lower than before, but part of the structural deficit will remain for 2025 and beyond,” Utrecht Library said.
Utrecht Library therefore continues to discuss with the municipality of Utrecht, with various scenarios on the table. There also remains hope for even more money from the government. This has to do with the fact that municipalities and provinces must ensure ‘sufficient and fully-fledged libraries’ from 2025. There is also money involved.
