THE fate of Bulahdelah Library will soon be known, with a decision about its future expected to be made by Council next week.

A spokesperson for MidCoast Council said a report was currently being prepared for consideration at Council’s Extraordinary Meeting to be held on 14 March.

Community member Maureen Guthrie-Horwill, who has volunteered at the library for more than a decade, said she is disappointed that Council was considering closing the service.

“This will mean the loss of another service for the community, and one that will greatly affect the elderly,” Mrs Guthrie-Horwill said.

“The volunteer librarians have given countless hours of service to the community over the years, it provides a social opportunity for many people, an opportunity that could now be lost.”

Council staff, speaking at a recent meeting in Bulahdelah, indicated that the library was not being used enough to justify keeping it open.

This prompted many responses on the Community Facebook page, with one member commenting as the library is staffed by volunteers, the operating cost to Council was just six-and-half-hours of electricity each week.

Another stated, “If they added a desk, a kid’s area, computers that are from this century and WiFi, I think the library would get more use.”

Representatives from Bulahdelah Chamber of Commerce and Tourism have been in contact with Council, outlining the impacts that closing the library would have on the community.

A spokesperson from MidCoast Council told News Of The Area, Council will not make any further comments on the matter until a decision had been made by the Administrator.

The report to be presented at the Extraordinary Meeting will be available publicly on Council’s website after 1pm on Friday 10 March.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN