No city library for rural folks
Book lovers living just outside Hamilton borders will have 12 more months to enjoy the city’s libraries for free.
As of September 30, Waikato District Council’s agreement with Hamilton City Council to allow its residents to use the city’s libraries will come to an end. After that date, active Hamilton City Library users in district council areas will receive a free 12-month subscription per household, then will have to pay $80 annually to continue to use the city service.
Affected residents range from Gordonton and Te Ko¯ whai in the north to Whatawhata and Tamahere in the south.
For Tamahere residents Philippa Stevenson, Heather Gibbs and Marg Ford, and Gordonton residents David Riddell and Annette Taylor, the change is unfair.
‘‘I’ve always valued access to the Hamilton libraries because when I first moved out of the city to Tamahere nearly 30 years ago, we district people were unable to access the library. We couldn’t even pay to belong,’’ Stevenson said.
‘‘It was wonderful when the agreement was reached between the district and the city to allow us access. After all, our nearest district library is in Nga¯ruawa¯hia. It takes me about 10 minutes to get to the Hillcrest library.’’
‘‘They’re paying thousands of dollars in rates and getting virtually nothing for it. This was one of the things they actually got,’’ Riddell said.
Taylor agreed.
‘‘I’m concerned about the vulnerable people in the community – the elderly, those with young children and little income, for whom finding $80 will be difficult.
Waikato District Council chief executive Gavin Ion said although council’s preferred option was to renew the contract with Hamilton City Council, the information he received indicated it was not ‘‘a good deal’’ for ratepayer money. Around 3500 residents from just under 2400 households within the Waikato District have used Hamilton City Libraries in the past 12 months, he said.
‘‘We know that residents living close to Hamilton will be the most affected by this decision. We acknowledge that it’s frustrating for them because they don’t live near any of our libraries and they don’t have the same opportunities as others. This was one of the many tough decisions we’ve had to make in order to keep rates rises under control.’’
Waikato District Council has been spending $300,000 to allow residents to use Hamilton’s library, or about $85 per resident actually using the service.
Ion said the council will instead use the money to enhance library services in the district.
‘‘Our priority is to get reasonable access to library services for all our residents and supporting this long term is a priority over the next 12 months.