East Fremantle to continue to contribute to Fremantle library services

THE Town of East Fremantle has reversed their decision to not contribute to the City of Fremantle’s library services.

At last month’s council meeting the Town made a $150,000 provision in the 2019/20 budget for library services and authorised the chief executive to prepare a five year library service agreement based on the membership model.

The Town would contribute to the library based on the number of East Fremantle resident members calculated as a percentage of total Fremantle library members.

In a report tabled at council during the 2018/19 financial year there were 1,985 East Fremantle residents listed as Fremantle library members, 9.56 per cent of the total library memberships.

Under those figures the town’s potential contribution with the new proposal would equal $139,470.

Last year council made a decision to reduce their contribution by $50,000 and make no further payments after the 2018/19 financial year.

Councillor Cliff Collinson said libraries were a wonderful service.

“For me it was a shame so I am happy we did revisit it,” he said.

City of Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said they welcomed the town’s decision to contribute to the library.

“Although we’re currently in a temporary facility at Fremantle Oval the library still offers an excellent range of information and services to the local community, and our new library at Kings Square is going to be absolutely spectacular when it opens next year,” he said.