No free books with dole

Ruapehu Bulletin, 1 December 1992, Page 3

No free books with dole

An attempt to introduce free book borrowing for the unemployed from Ruapehu District libraries failed four votes to 10 last Friday. Cr Bob Peck called for the council to modify its borrowing charges system, when the policy came up for review. Although overall borrowing figures were down by only four percent and in fact were up in

Ohakune, Mr Peck said some beneficiaries could not now afford to borrow books. The report presented to council said written public submissions on the policy were called for but very little had been received. "Those least able to pay are least able to respond (to the council' s call for submissions). They are intimidated by

groups like this. They are intimidated by you and me," said Mr Peck. He said the change would not break the council Other councillors supported Mr Peck's sentiments, but felt there were many other groups also suffering hardship. Cr June Baker called for free borrowing for students. She said she was aware of students who needed books from

the library for homework projects who could not afford to borrow them. Cr Cosford said the council had decided this was covered because Ruapehu schools all had very good libraries. Revenue for the six months from when the charges were introduced was $8909, up from $5204 for the same period last year.