Cutting funds to libraries

is NOT a good idea. Whatever are they thinking of to even suggest it might happen?

Libraries have been an absolutely vital resource over the past eighteen months, more so than ever before. Why is it they could even think that the resources and the opening hours could be reduced? There is something very wrong with a country that can spend more on sport than on libraries and like resources.  

I know Downunder is not the only country facing this issue but I am also more aware than most people of the value of libraries. I have worked in school libraries and I volunteer in the local library. I use the library several times a week.  

I may not be in the library for long during  the week. It might be nothing more than a quick trip in and out to return books, to pick up books, to meet a student who needs help or for some other purpose.  

I also take care of the library's "knitting and crochet group" - a group which provides a social service of sorts.  People come and go from that group. There is a small core of regulars but there are people who come and go as well. They come for help. They leave when they have found out how to do something or  move from the district.  Covid19 meant we had to stop altogether but the core group was back together last Saturday and we had a new person who wants to learn to crochet.  As a southpaw I passed teaching her to G... - and G... is a very good teacher. Her explanations are clear and concise. She is patient too.

There is someone who has started to come recently. Her daughter-in-law drops her off and picks her up. She is shy and still a bit nervous but her smile was more ready on Saturday. She reminds me of the person who told me that the group had, quite literally, saved her life. We made her welcome at a point when she was seriously considering "ending it all". She has moved on since then to live in another state but her neighbour tells me that this person has actually started a group in her new local library.

Yes, libraries are more than "just books".  Ours has computers, free wi-fi,  quiet areas for study within the library and rooms at the side where students can get together to help each other. There are dvd's, cd's, audio books, toys to borrow and many activities in which to participate - chess, scrabble, programming classes,  French, story telling and craft activities are all available.  

There are people who spend hours in the library. For many year 12 students it has been "the only place I can get some peace and quiet".  

I know, I have said all this before but please think about it. Downunder spends  vast sums of money supporting sport which is fine in its own way but libraries have so much more to offer for so much longer.