A report to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s July meeting said the council had annually received a library subsidy of about $140,000 to assist with the ongoing operations and a Local Priority Grant of about $60,000 which was used on specific projects. 

Council staff understand the proposed public library grants and subsidies for 2018/19 will be discussed at the Library Council of NSW’s Public Libraries Consultative Committee on July 23 before being considered by the Library Council and recommended to the Arts Minister for approval.

The council has allocated the library subsidy ($146,000) and the Local Priority Grant ($60,000) as income items in the adopted council budget. 

Council staff members anticipate the library subsidy will stay the same. 

“There are serious concerns, however, that the local priority grants may be reduced across the board or removed completely,” the report said.

This should be clearer after the July 23 meeting.

The report to the July council meeting was in response to a question from Cr Geoff Hawkins.

Cr Hawkins said libraries were a really important part of the community.

He said libraries were an enabler of so much in the community.

Cr Peter Alley said libraries were no longer just about lending books.

“They are a community resource that is very well utilised and we need to continue to support them,” he said.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said libraries were a very well valued asset in the community.

The council has asked the general manager to submit a further report to the council at the earliest opportunity when the details about the extent and nature of the state government cuts and adjustments to library funding is known.

The library funding cut was announced in the state budget.

There are no cuts in infrastructure funding for regional libraries. 

Meanwhile, the council has recently received advice from Local Government NSW about a Renew our Libraries campaign.

The campaign seeks a funding increase to libraries across the state.