Liz Levy
It is now likely that all three Byron Shire library branches will continue operating as usual and the mobile library service stops previously under a cloud have all been preserved.
After voicing strong opposition at Byron Shire Council’s public access to the loss of mobile library services, Friends of the Library (FOL) were relieved when Council moved to maintain mobile visits to all current locations. FOL now believes that the proposed alternative savings measure, to cut opening hours by an hour each morning, may yet be averted through an alternative funding source.
The proposal will be discussed at the next Council meeting on October 31.
The original $12,000, offered by the Friends to help keep the mobile library, is now available for redirection and FOL can consider what more they might do to assist with the last remaining cutback: the $20,000 reduction to resource purchases. It is to be hoped that through combined efforts, the final impact on the Shire’s library users will be minimal.
On the subject of funds, the Friends’ recent bookstall, at the entrance of the new library, made a lively scene with a bumper collection of books and takings that broke previous records. FOL would like to thank all the book donors and the library staff for their support on the day.
Byron Bay Library now has a book club that meets on the first Tuesday of the month. And all library branches have hosted fabulous and well-attended school holiday activities, ranging from origami workshops to shoe painting, mask decorating and the creation of some beautiful springtime crowns.
