The State Government will contribute $199,000 to the project, with $99,960 coming from Horsham Rural City Council.

Horsham branch manager Mary Dalgleish said the improvements would mean improved staff and customer comfort.

“It will mean we have really good air-conditioning that works really well for us and the customers to give us a nice climate to work in and enjoy the library,” she said.

Mrs Dalgleish said it had been a long time since the library was properly cooled.

“It’s been hit and miss for a long time and in the past six months it’s been pretty much non-existent,” she said.

She said Wimmera Regional Library Corporation had previously made unsuccessful grant applications for the refurbishment.

With the library temporarily housed in Horsham Gateway Centre for the next three months, Mrs Dalgleish said it presented an opportunity to complete the works.

“We’re looking forward to it happening and the fact that we’re out of the building at the moment is good timing,” she said.

Local Government Minister Tim Bull was flanked by Nationals candidate for Lowan Emma Kealy as he made the funding announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

He said a visit to the library last month had helped convince him the project was worthwhile.

“At the invitation of Emma, I was able to visit the library recently and see first-hand the works that were planned to bring it up to modern-day standards,” he said.

“This is an exciting project for the town.” 

Ms Kealy said the upgrade was likely to boost patronage.

“Horsham Library hosts around 350 visitors each day, and an air-conditioning upgrade is vital to improving their

library experience and encouraging greater use of the library, particularly during Victoria’s long, hot summer holiday period,” she said. 

“With the current air-conditioning system at the end of its working life this is a perfect opportunity to install a modern, energy-efficient heating and cooling system for the benefit of library users.”