In the face of overwhelming public opposition the Council has backed down on the controversial 50 cents library charge, but not without restricting borrowing entitlements and hiking charges on ‘top title' items and DVDs.
When you consider the 50c library charge, think about the big picture. When you vote for your City Councillors in October you are effectively appointing a Board of Directors or Trustees and asking them to manage the city's assets and services on behalf of the community in a manner that is fiscally responsible, socially equitable, and that sets a platform for the growth and prosperity of our city. Any Council that does not meet these ‘tests' is likely to be financially, culturally and morally bankrupt. Libraries represent our commitment to life-long learning, and universal access to our languages and literature; our cultures and histories. Libraries represent our access to up-to-date knowledge and information that is at the core of our democratic society. They are places of social interaction and community engagement.
This proposed library charge has come at a time when these fundamental rights are either being lost, as in the case of Continuing Education, or restricted by cost with increasing course fees, internet costs, and the burden of student loans.
Think about whom this proposed charge would have penalised? Society is judged by the way it treats the very young, the very old, the poor, the disadvantaged. Ask yourself did the proposed library charge reflect a genuine commitment to social equity and fairness?
Make your 50cents worth count when you vote this October.
Michael Mills, Matua.