Council responds after calls to reinstate library’s children activities

“This review will look closely at what best fits the needs of the individual communities across the region,” Mr McMahon said.

Councillor Tim McMahon has responded to requests from local parents to reinstate children’s programs at the library.

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has responded to concerns raised by local parents after the city’s library has yet to reinstate its program for children’s activities since Covid-19 restrictions eased.

Mother-of-two Louise Delahunty said she and other parents were ‘frustrated’ that the program had not been resumed and they feel there is a lack of activities available for young children.

Library and Cultural Services portfolio leader Councillor Tim McMahon said council is reviewing feedback from recent focus group sessions around the library activities.

“The Toowoomba Region Libraries Survey (conducted earlier this year) findings and feedback from the focus groups will be presented for council’s consideration later in the year,” Mr McMahon said.

“This review will look closely at what best fits the needs of the individual communities across the region and help inform a future library service that is sustainable and responsive to the changing needs of our communities.

“The review will also help determine priorities for service delivery and public programs including youth, children’s activities and future school holiday programs.”

The councillor said the upcoming Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers program for the month of September will offer family and community events.

Ms Delahunty said after six months of asking for the activities to return to the library, a Story Time session in the park had been offered but she felt the replacement was inadequate.

The mother-of-two said she had seen the event “cancelled last minute many times due to the weather.”

Mr McMahon said while a recent cancellation was unfortunate, the program had otherwise been successful.

“The recent cancellation of a First Five Forever Story Time session due to bad weather was unfortunate, but council has conducted many successful Story Time events across six sessions per week in park settings,” he said.

“Story Time will be scheduled inside library facilities next term, where it is possible to abide by the spatial restrictions required by the state government’s Covid-19 regulations … more details will be announced soon.”

Ms Delahunty said she felt the current children’s area of the library was less inviting than it used to be as it was roped off due to repairs being made to the Story Time tree.

But Mr McMahon said completion of the repairs was a priority.

“Repairs to the Story Time tree are regarded as a high priority – it is a recognised and special feature of the Toowoomba City Library,” he said.

“The aim of the assessment and repair process is to make sure the Toowoomba City Library children’s space is safe for everyone.”