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Two historic community libraries run by volunteers have made pleas to be spared from spending cuts and new charges being proposed in the draft Auckland Council budget.
Leigh Library currently relies on annual funding of $2000 from Council’s Libraries department and $1250 from Rodney Local Board – money which is potentially under threat in the budget – while Puhoi Library receives no funding, but is alarmed by a proposal to introduce a new $2500 maintenance fee on Council buildings that would wipe out the little fundraising income it makes.
Volunteers from both libraries spoke at last month’s Rodney Local Board meeting, saying they would simply not be able to continue operating if such changes went through.
Leigh librarian Tracey Lawton said the Council and Local Board money was vital to keep the library, an important community and social hub, going.
“We don’t qualify for grants or other community funding as those require a finite project – something with a beginning and an end – and book buying is a continuous project,” she said.
“In essence, we’re 99.9% reliant on yours and Council’s funding. For this funding, we provide an excellent service to our community. We hear time and time again how amazing our book selection is, sometimes our volunteers are the only people some of our members talk to in their day, and we care for the cottage and gardens.”
Puhoi Library’s Sandra Mohl-de-Vallejo and Dell Peacock said proposed budget changes that would allow local boards to charge higher maintenance fees on Council land and buildings leased to community organisations would cripple the tiny one-room library.
“The proposed charge of $2500 per annum would close the library,” Mohl-de-Vallejo said. “We don’t get any funding, and that is three times the profit we make in a year.”
She added that the library was already having to cope with the catastrophic flooding that hit Puhoi on January 27, when floodwaters rose 30cm above the top of the library door and destroyed more than 6000 books, documents and photographs. The building remains yellow-stickered and full of mud.
However, she said even that was manageable and the library team could cope, compared to the threat of a new maintenance charge.
“That is the big issue. Everything else we can cope with – we don’t mind the floods, we don’t mind the work, but we’re asking you to waive this charge.”
Board chair Brent Bailey said members felt for anyone who had been through flooding and he urged library committees to make a submission on the budget proposals.
“These things are important,” he said.
The Auckland Council Budget 2023/24 is open for feedback until 11pm on Tuesday, March 28.
