It’s a new chapter for Nelson

AS a key voice in a public campaign to save three threatened library branches last year, Ron Nelson forecast a big shake-up in Geelong’s handling of its library network.

But after becoming chairman of the corporation five months ago, his desire to run a broom through the library organisation has dissipated.

In June last year, the council’s administrators overturned a decision to shut the Highton, Barwon Heads and Chilwell libraries by the end of September.

The Geelong Regional Library Corporation had recommended the closures.

Mr Nelson — who just over a year earlier had been swept out of the council in an en masse sacking by the State Government — was angered by the bungled handling of the topical issue.

He said if re-elected, he would initiate an inquiry into the GRLC, which he described as a “monolith” of bureaucracy.

“There’s a bit of fat at the top there that perhaps we don’t need,” he told the Geelong Independent.

After winning back his seat on the council last October, Cr Nelson was appointed to the GRLC board in March and then elected chairman the following month.

He told the Geelong Advertiser this week that a detailed induction and overview of the organisation by CEO Patti Manolis had shifted his thinking.

“I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the broad range of important services and programs the GLRC offers, and the full value it provides to the community with the funding it receives,” Cr Nelson said.

He said he was focused on expanding the library network. He also wants to bring existing branches “into the 21st century, which includes upgrades to Highton and Chilwell”.