MIDCOAST Council has delayed making a decision on the future of Bulahdelah Library following a meeting between Administrator John Turner, Interim General Manager Glenn Handford and members of the Bulahdelah Chamber of Commerce.

Director of Community Spaces and Services Paul De Szell, said a different course of action was now being considered.

“Council will now work with the Bulahdelah Rural Transaction Centre to review options to maintain a library service in Bulahdelah,” Mr De Szell said.

As part of the review, Library Services Manager Chris Jones and Librarian Loraine Farrell meet in Bulahdelah last week to view the proposed space at the centre.

Mr Jones will now prepare a report for consideration at a future Council meeting.

Chamber President John Sahyoun said he felt the discussions with Council have been positive.

“We are pleased that Council are now considering maintaining this service for the community,” he said.

“We are expecting that a decision will made within the next few weeks.”

The review of the library service coincides with the upcoming retirement of Mrs Farrell who attended to the administration of the service.

As a former resident of the Bulahdelah community, Mrs Farrell, who will retire at the end of March, has been a longtime supporter of the library.

Library volunteers have described her as “patient, caring and helpful”.

The library will continue to operate at its current location until a decision has been made by Council.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN