Cessnock City Council has thrown its support behind the NSW Public Libraries Association and Local Government NSW ‘Renew Our Libraries’ funding campaign.
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Council endorsed the campaign in a mayoral minute that was unanimously supported at its August 1 meeting.
Renew Our Libraries is advocating for the NSW Government to reverse its 18 percent funding cut to libraries across the state and seek bi-partisan support for the provision of a significant increase in funding for NSW public libraries.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent said the significance of local libraries cannot be understated.
“You only have to walk into any of our local library branches on any given day to see how integral these spaces are to our residents,” he said.
“They are not just a service that has great resources, but provide a space where people connect, learn and are entertained.
“In our local government area less than half of households have a computer. Our libraries are a central place for residents, especially students doing their homework or assessments.
“The importance of libraries needs to be a priority and these services need to be supported by a sustainable funding model.”