Guildford Library.
Camera IconGuildford Library. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Guildford PS students leading calls to save Guildford Library

Lisa ThomasMidland Kalamunda Reporter

GUILDFORD Primary School students have got behind a campaign to save the Guildford Library by writing letters and drawing pictures for City of Swan councillors, pleading for them to keep it open.

Councillors voted last night at the ordinary council meeting on the future of the library and requested a detailed report including a business case to be provided to council in March next year on whether to close the library or implement a plan to improve it.

More than 100 students wrote letters and drew pictures detailing what they loved about the library and why it should be kept open.

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Parent Simone Brown organised the letters and said no library should be closed.

“I think libraries are just a place that are always needed in the community,” she said.

“The Guildford Library especially is such a warm and welcoming place and you just feel at home.”

Councillor Ian Johnson put forward a motion to defer the decision at last night’s meeting, but it was voted down.

He said there needed to be more time for public consultation.

Cr Maria Haynes said no library should be closed and debated against the report.

“What happens if there is a baby boom in the next 12 months?” she said.

“We’re never going to make money off a library, just like we are never going to make money of a swimming pool.

“I couldn’t care if there are only 20 people using it; it would be making a difference to the lives of those people.”

Cr David Fardig said if he could have a library in every suburb he would, but believed the Guildford library was not sustainable.

“We are being hammered for our rates and to keep costs down, but we don’t have the money and we can’t keep systems that aren’t functioning,” he said.

Guildford Family Playgroup community liaison officer Claire Scanlan was disappointed councillors did not support Cr Johnson’s motion to defer the item.

She said further time would have meant better public consultation with community groups who used the library.

“I’m concerned that this was pushed through right before the elections and I have been told the decision cannot be rescinded,” she said

“There are so many more community groups we wanted to reach, so there concerns could have been included in the report.

“The council is supposed to represent the community, so why are they going against the community?

“I am hopeful that this report will help rejuvenate the library and will listen to the community groups and won’t mean the end of the library.”

A report will be handed down on March 14 next year.

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