Community protests council plan to close Guildford library

Residents of Guildford in Perth are protesting a report to be presented to the City of Swan councilors on 2 August that details plans to close the Guildford library, reports Community News.

A previous report found the Guildford branch is the council’s only library that hadn’t grown rapidly in membership and usage since 2009, which led to a reduction in the library’s opening hours and resources ‘in an effort to ensure equity of allocation of resources to areas of greater need’.

The library experienced a decrease in visits despite a 12-month revitalisation program that was run in 2015.

Guildford Association president Barbara Dundas said the City of Swan had run a noticeable campaign to remove books and children’s services at the library. ‘Story times for young children were rescheduled in the afternoon, a time unsuitable for young children. Then with reduced numbers, children’s story time and all holiday activities were ceased. These actions seemed to be reducing library materials and membership,’ said Dundas.

Guildford Family Playgroup community liaison officer Claire Scanlan said closing the library would be disastrous for the community. ‘The library is under-utilised, but that is because it has chaotic opening hours and a depleted collection,’ she said.

Category: Library news