“Public Library Managers Oppose Tauranga Library Book Charges”

All New Zealanders have the right to equality of access to knowledge irrelevant of their financial circumstances….

The Association of Public Library Managers (APLM) believes that Tauranga District Council’s proposal to add a fifty cent charge to adult book loans will impact those on low incomes, and will result in a decrease in the use of library facilities.

“Public Libraries are committed to supporting lifelong learning and literacy. The Association’s stance is that charging for books will contribute to a decline in literacy,” said Leslie Clague, Chair of the Association.

Free book borrowing from public libraries is protected by legislation in most English speaking countries, but not in New Zealand. One of the Association’s aims is to gain national legislation to protect free access to information in public libraries.

Recently the Minister of Education, Anne Tolley, told the APLM executive that

literacy was a key initiative of the Government, but the Minister said she would not support legislation to safeguard free library services, unless they were threatened. “The Tauranga proposal is such a threat and the Association calls on the National Government to work towards ending this challenge to the knowledge society and people’s right to know,” Mrs. Clague said.

“APLM understands that councils need to make the best use of their ratepayers’ money in the current difficult financial climate. However, public libraries are the most used, by choice, local government facility. Visits to public libraries have been steadily increasing over the period of the recession,” Mrs. Clague noted.

“It is important to recognise in most areas of New Zealand an across the board average of 50.26% of the local population (rate payers and voters) are members of their local library. In some districts the membership is as high as 80%.” Mrs. Clague said.

ENDS

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