New Library Proposal
In February, 2010, the Great Lakes Council announced that the proposed Civic Precinct in Little Street, Forster, will include a new library, much to the delight of the many library patrons in the area. Council decision makers are to be congratulated for understanding that a community with a first class library is a better place to live. At present, the Great Lakes Library Service comprises one central library at Forster, one branch library at Tea Gardens, and library service points at Bulahdelah, Nabiac, and Stroud. Since the central library at Forster was opened in 1988, the population of the area has increased by over 70%. The library is far too small to service the current population, let alone provide for the expected increase. Although the existing building is very attractive it lacks the space for many essentials of the modern library. It suffers from the lack of meeting rooms, genealogy area, quiet study space, or dedicated function space. The backroom work area for library staff is very congested. There is one open area for preparing books for loan, repairing damaged stock, dealing with returns and distribution to branches, servicing home deliveries, storing donations for sorting, and holding meetings. The coordination and management of the entire library service (including the computer system) runs from the backroom area. Even the lunch area provided to staff is jammed into this space. Parking is absurdly inadequate - especially in an area with a high percentage of senior citizens. Now over 20 years old, the library in Forster has always been under-resourced. Great Lakes was the second last Shire in the State to have a public library. The time has come for the people of Forster and Tuncurry to have the library they deserve, so they will not be disadvantaged in comparison with other regional and metropolitan areas. A new library would also benefit residents in outlying areas, as the central library administers the branch library in Tea Gardens and the service points in Nabiac, Bulahdelah and Stroud. Public libraries play a very significant role in the lives of many Australians, providing enrichment and opportunity for life-long learning to the many library users. Unfortunately, the NSW State Government funding for public libraries is the lowest of any state in Australia thus shifting the major responsibility to local government. This is even more of a burden in regional areas with a low rate base. At a national level, the amount of money required to improve the quality of services offered by public libraries is relatively very small compared with what is spent on other essential institutions such as hospitals and schools. Good libraries just don't happen. Members of the community need to let the three levels of government know how much they value library services. The Friends are determined to make a difference in our community by advocating for a high standard library service. You can support this aim by becoming a member of FOGLLS.
