State Wide Lobby to Save Libraries
November 22, 2007: Petitions will be placed in the shire’s four libraries as part of a state wide campaign to attract more state government funding for library services.
Mayor Tony Allen said there had been a serious and ongoing proportional reduction in State Government funding for public libraries during the past 25 years.
“In 1980, the state government contributed 23.6% of the total operating costs of public libraries. The state contribution dwindled to 7.8% in 2004-05 with further reductions in years since then, including a massive cut of $1,023,000 (4.16%) in 2006-07,” Cr Allen said.
“It is important that our Council supports a day of action on November 29 to send a clear message to the state government that libraries are an important community resource and need the appropriate funding.
“The day has been selected because both houses of the NSW Parliament are sitting.
“There are a number of strategies in the lead up to the day of action which our Council is supporting, particularly encouraging people to sign the petition.”
As part of the campaign, the slogan Libraries: Too Valuable To Lose has been adopted across the state.
“If the majority of the 363 library service points across the state participate, it is anticipated that a sizeable petition will be available to hand to Premier Iemma on November 29,” Cr Allen said.
“There are real concerns that a further review of libraries funding could see a further reduction in the amount of support at a state level.
“The recent Country Libraries conference hosted in Merimbula earlier this year highlighted the concerns of regional and rural libraries and their ability to continue to meet the demands of their customers.
“Libraries provide a huge resource in any community and their role continues to evolve and explore new delivery methods in terms of services.
“Libraries have expanded into the internet, web services, in the case of Bega we have introduced the highly successful international program Grandparents and Books, and the list goes on.
“However these programs and services all require funding and there should be an expectation in the community that they will receive that funding support.”
Cr Allen said across the state the funding situation threatens to deteriorate further through the current NSW Public Library Funding Review to which Minister Frank Sartor has appointed consultant Dr Tom Parry to undertake.
“This review has proceeded despite advice from a range of library bodies that the NSW Public Library Funding Strategy, which was established as the result of significant research and collaboration just two years ago in 2005, provides a sustainable and scalable model for future allocation of funds,” Cr Allen said.
