Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio believes library members should be the priority in relation to all library policies, and so he is calling for a survey of members about the policy of free public internet use.

Currently, the Nelson library offers free internet use to the public, which Mayor Aldo Miccio says is anecdotally disadvantaging library members at certain times of the day when the computers are tied up by visitors to Nelson - despite recent changes to the computer booking system to favour library card holders.

“I agree that it is a worthy philosophy to offer free internet to all, to ensure people have equal access to information for research or school projects and the like, however, I do believe library members should be surveyed about the issue to see if it is a philosophy they also agree with, or if they would like access restricted to just members,” says Miccio. “I realise the library has a booking system for locals on some of the computers to prioritise library card holders, which may help, but it would be prudent to ask members if it actually does.

“The new council did look at the issue before Christmas, as I had included it in my Mayor’s report to ensure we had a chance to debate it before summer started,” he says. “Councillors also heard from an internet café owner and debated the issue with council staff. A show of hands around the council table followed the debate, which resulted in a vote of 7 to 6 in support of the current policy of free access.

“My concern is that we generally seem to be making anecdotal judgements about the impact of the free internet use without a clear voice from library members,” he says. “Not everyone will complain to staff, and if people are happy they are also not likely to tell anyone, unless asked.

“I believe it now makes sense to survey library members about their views, and I also encourage non-library memebers to make a submission on the issue through the Annual Plan process,” he says. “It is very important that when people are providing their opinions they do so in the context of a likely increased cost of the free service after the Government changes its funding model for the computers in the middle of the year. I believe council needs to look at a broader policy of free internet access in Nelson - should we continue the free internet service at the library at an increased cost to our council, or should Nelson provide free wireless internet across the CBD, or parts of the CBD like other cities in New Zealand?

“I plan to discuss this issue further with councillors and staff next week,” he concludes.

ENDS

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