Feedback from groups and users of the Toowoomba City Library Community Rooms has seen council reassess its trial cut in hours

The bizarre decision to “trial” cutting the operating hours of the city libary’s community rooms from 9am to 5pm on weekdays has been partly reversed by Toowoomba Regional Council.

Toowoomba Regional Council has succumbed to community pressure, partly reversing its trial reduction in the operating hours of Toowoomba City Library’s community rooms.

Originally, the trial meant the community rooms were unable to be booked by community groups outside normal business hours.

In a statement yesterday, the council said community groups would now be able to book midweek, after-hours functions at the rooms in addition to existing operating hours, and that the trial end date would be extended from June 30 until September 30.

TRC Library and Cultural Services portfolio leader Cr Tim McMahon said a preliminary review of feedback submitted on the use of the Community Meeting Rooms indicated strong support for after-hours use, particularly from Tuesday to Thursday night.

Community member Graham Miller said he was concerned about what would happen after the September 30 trial end date and was pushing for certainty from the council.

“(The rooms are) a well-needed service to the community,” he said.

Councillors had previously outlined community concerns about the trial reduction in hours, and were seemingly unaware it was going ahead.

A petition regarding the issue was presented to the council yesterday.

Cr McMahon said the council had received more than 140 responses to the recent survey around demand for the use of the rooms and that a full report on the survey findings would be considered by the council before June 30.

“A decision about the future operating hours of the venue will be made after full consideration of the report to the council,” he said.

In addition to after-hours use between Tuesday and Thursday, the rooms are open weekdays from 9am to 5pm, and from 9am to 3pm on Sunday.