Public Libraries' Day of Action
Palerang Council is participating in the NSW Public Libraries Day of Action today to protest about the ongoing reduction in State Government funding.
Public Library funding has now reached crisis point in NSW due to the State Government's reduction in funding for public libraries over the past 25 years. In 1980, the State Government contributed 23.6% of the total operating costs of public libraries. This contribution dwindled to 7.8% in 2004-05, with a further huge cut of $1,023,000 (4.16%) in 2006-07.
NSW has the lowest State Government per capita contribution to public libraries of all state and territories in Australia. Since 1980, the State Government contribution to public libraries has only increased from $8.5m to $22.4m while Local Government contributions have had a massive increase from $27.5m to $265m over the same period.
The Day of Action today has been initiated by Public Libraries NSW - Country, while both houses of Parliament are sitting. "Libraries are vital to every community," said Cr Ewan Tolhurst, Chairman of Public Libraries NSW - Country. "They are the most popular and most used of all Council facilities across the State. We want the State Government to urgently address the unacceptable level of funding which threatens the provision of free and equitable library services to residents in NSW," he added.
Palerang Council gave its full support to the protest and is encouraging everyone to sign the petition located in its libraries and offices in Bungendore and Braidwood. In addition, both libraries are removing new books from the shelves today as a mark of protest. Council will also be making representations to the State Government seeking an explanation for the reduction in funding.
The slogan "Libraries: Too Valuable to Lose" sums up the situation.
Contact details
Palerang Council
Tel: 02 6238 8111
http://www.palerang.nsw.gov.au
records@palerang.nsw.gov.au
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