Library takeover doubt

LISMORE City Council's controversial takeover of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library is in doubt.

Former library director Martin Field says it’s up to elected councillors to make the decisions. Photo: John Gass TWE010611library

LISMORE City Council’s controversial takeover of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library is in doubt, with Byron Shire Council threatening to quit the network rather than allow Lismore to take control.

Meanwhile, Ballina Shire Council is expected to vote on a motion not to proceed until staff provide a report on other options following the passing of the Library Amendment Act in parliament.

Ballina councillor Jeff Johnson said he would put a motion to the next council meeting to investigate options and instruct staff not to sign any documents with Lismore Council until that time.

“The passing of the bill is a pretty monumental occasion and has repercussions for the regional library service,” he said.

Lismore council announced in June last year it would take over the network and disband the library committee that consisted of councillors from the Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Tweed councils.

It argued the then law meant the existing structure of the network was in conflict with the law, which meant Lismore was taking all the risks of the committee’s decisions.

The new Library Amendment Act, a direct response to Lismore’s takeover, will allow councils to jointly manage the network.

Former library director Martin Field said yesterday: “Some (council) general managers don’t want a county council model, but that’s not up to the general managers to decide, it’s for the elected councillors to decide,” he said.

Lismore council is advertising for a new library manager to fill the position of Mr Field, who was made redundant following the restructure.

However yesterday he said it “wouldn’t be fair” to appoint a new manager until the structure of the network was resolved.

Originally published as Library takeover doubt