The Tauranga woman who led the campaign to stop charges being introduced on some books in Tauranga public libraries is warning people to remember the issue when they cast their vote in the election.
Vanessa Byrnes says many current councillors initially supported cuts and charges to basic local library services earlier this year.
Raging Reader Vanessa Byrnes is asking people to consider the current council's propositions to introduce library book loan charges when they vote.
"Rick Curach suggested the crass 'a buck a book' slogan, and moved $1 charges on borrowing all items for users over 18 years of age," says Vanessa.
"Hayden Evans supported this motion. There began a six month campaign for our team of library supporters to fight ridiculous, fiscally-minded proposals."
She says the Save Our Library campaign cost her huge personal time, money, and effort in challenging this current council's proposal to introduce charges.
"This was a huge victory for Tauranga as a community, and I believe we regained the respect of other New Zealand towns, who were watching to see what would happen here.
"Therefore I would like to challenge all candidates, including Mayor Crosby, who is now talking of slowing down rates increases, to make clear their position on the place of library and arts services in our growing community.
"I believe that essential services can be provided without huge increases to household spending. Yet how will we cap or reign in rates escalation, while retaining assets such as the four local libraries?"
9 comments
Long memories
Posted on 22-09-2010 09:21 | By dogsbody
Go Vanessa. We remember the councillors who tried this and payback is coming. which reminds me, has Cr Evans paid his rates yet? there should be a law that prevents those who havent paid, from making decisions about how our rates are spent. its appalling.
Pay for the privilege
Posted on 22-09-2010 11:18 | By Milf
everyone else pays for services, why should book borrowers not contribute?. get in the real world, freeloaders, this is a cost to the ratepayer, if you want the service, you pay like everyone else. USER PAYS across the board, or not at all.
Even longer memories
Posted on 22-09-2010 12:31 | By Aster
Well done Vanessa for your timely reminder,but don't let some of the current candidates fool the public either! There seems to be an attempt by some candidates to band together in a team which would like to go for consensus behind closed doors and then inform ratepayers of their decisions afterwards. No transparent consultation if this group get elected. Beware the wannabe Mayors, and the tired old existing crew. Let's give the incumbent Mayor support and elect a new team of fresh blood to help him steer this fine city in a new direction.
It wasn\'t user pays for all - just the Library!
Posted on 22-09-2010 12:39 | By waxing
Milf - it wasn't user pays across the board - just the Library. There were no plans to introduce user pays on things like boat ramps, trailer parks etc. So why was a key service contributing to social development singled out?
pay up, users
Posted on 22-09-2010 12:47 | By Milf
aha, but everyone else does pay. parking, property developers, dog owners (even tho its mainly spent chasing unregisterd dogs) even water, you pay for what you use. so the library is one of the few that hasnt been brought into line with user pays. as for boat ramps, the ability to launch boats has been taken away from boaties by the proliferation of seawalls, wharves and other council abominations. Back in the good old days, a boat could be launched anywhere along the Tga waterfront. Infracstructure, highways and ugly seawalls have ruined that access. its only right that the remaining few places to get to the water should be paid for by the council that has taken away the natural right of access. boaties should be paid compensation for having access reduced to a few barely adequate facilities - that they are forced to use due to poorly lacking foresight and development.
A CANDIDATES VIEW
Posted on 22-09-2010 13:48 | By David Love
My family went to the UK when I was young. One of six children we were not affluent yet each one of us has made substantial achievements in our adult lives. When not on the rugby pitch (not my sisters) or in the swimming pool (which was almost free) my parents encouraged us all to use the public library - which of course was free. I am sure it was here that each one of us woke up to the wonders of the world through books. In those days we were without television and our horizons would have been limited without library access. Libraries have still a vital role to play in the development of our children and in bringing the world to life for mature users. Whilst I appreciate there are other services available from the modern library, the fundamental role of providing access to the wonders of the world in every sense for all ages through the written word is as valid today as it ever was. We come together to live in cities to provide us with an enrichment of life not available in isolation. I believe it is a fundamental right for all to have free access to the books in libraries. I also believe that the enrichment of the inner self is achieved through the finer things in life and it is from early times these that have come to be recognised as the elements of civilisation. The Government mandates local councils to provide facilities for recreation in all respects and it is worrying to see the downward trend in our City of funds allocated to this area. Fundamentally I stand for the economic development of the City. We are currently too small and our revenue too low to afford all the essentials and luxuries we would like to see in our City life. The only way forward for our collective wealth is to stoke the engines of business and commerce; their health will improve the wealth of all of us. To attract inward investment we need an outward perception of the City as a vibrant community and a firmly established arts programme together with events and festivals are integral parts of this. Thus providing recreation including the Arts must be seen as an essential element of growth rather than something that follows on from growth.
You've got to wonder ...
Posted on 23-09-2010 08:37 | By Murray.Guy
I support affordable access to the library with an emphasis on the young and not so young young (along with Baywave, sports centres, etc)... I struggle in that we have absolutely no user contribution to boat ramps, art galleries, gas BBQ's - Yet the provision of a glass of water is 100% users pays!
User Pays Once
Posted on 23-09-2010 12:22 | By DRich
As a regular library user, I've got no problem with paying for services on my adult loans, but I would want my rates to reflect that, rather than the more likely scenario of getting reemed on the rates and at the library door: user pays, sure, but only the one point of payment please
Posted on 30-09-2010 11:42 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Thanks for reminding us that Curach and Evans are the only ones who believe in property rights and personal responsibility. They are the ones who dont think it is right to ROB peter by FORCE and give to Paul. (at least not ALL the time anyway!) Curach and Evans also must believe that minorities have rights as well, which is a nice thing - especially if you are a minority. There are plenty of charities and voluntary organisations who could provide subsidies or funding for those unable to afford to hire library books - but some people just like to use plain old fashioned FORCE on other people to get what they want. If some people spent more time doing voluntary fundraising instead of forcing other people to pay for the things they want this would be a far better place - but No - its much easier to gang up on the council and get them to wield the big stick over the ratepayers Shame on you
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