GUNNEDAH Shire Council has become the latest council to throw its support behind the statewide Renew Our Libraries campaign.
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Councillors unanimously voted in favour of joining the campaign at Wednesday’s council meeting.
The campaign began earlier this year after the state government said public library funding would be cut and aims to lobby it to reverse the trend.
Gunnedah Shire Council’s decision follows similar recent decisions from nearby Tamworth Regional, Liverpool Plains Shire and Narrabri Shire councils.
Deputy mayor Gae Swain spoke passionately in favor of joining the campaign.
“The statistics of this trend are really staggering,” Cr Swain said.
“Over the years the amount of responsibility of funding has shifted significantly from the state government back onto local government.
“I believe the rise of funding responsibility on councils is up something like 77 per cent to over 92 per cent since 1980.
“It’s time we spoke up and joined a campaign like this because our libraries are so important to the community.”
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Gunnedah’s director of corporate and community services Colin Formann recommended councillors vote to join the campaign.
“This is a very serious situation for both public libraries and councils,” Mr Formann said.
“It is a situation that has been steadily getting worse over the years and this campaign helps to express our voice on the issue.”
Narrabri mayor, Cathy Redding said without extra funding, the consequences may be devastating.
“Our public libraries are the heart of our communities and valued places where people meet, access technology, expand knowledge and share ideas,” Cr Redding said.
“Providing high quality library services is a job we take very seriously, that’s why we’re proud to support Renew Our Libraries.”
The campaign will continue in the lead up to the 2019 state election.