This week is 'Love Your Libraries Week'.

Public libraries are so much more than just books. They are valuable centres of learning and connection for all members of the community.

This year people across NSW won an important battle to address a funding crisis in our public libraries, securing $60 million over the next four years. But public libraries will only realise their potential to be vital community hubs of information, connection and activity if they have long-term financial security.

My Labor Colleague Greg Warren MP, Shadow Minister for Local Government said,



Our libraries deserve recognition for the important role they play in supporting education and community engagement.Libraries play a pivotal role in the communities they serve, particularly in regional and remote areas. They provide access to information for people of all ages, feature exhibitions and displays and reflect the cultures and interests of the communities they serve.

Librariesin NSW havesuffered significant neglect by the NSW Liberals and Nationals over the past eight and a half years. In 2018, funding for libraries in NSW slipped to just $1.85 per capita the lowest funding per capita in the nation. Unfortunately under the watch of the NSW Liberals and Nationals, libraries have been forced to beg for every dollar of funding reluctantly dished out."

This afternoon I popped into my local library at Charlestown to say hello to the librarians and to show my support. Why not visit your local library this week as well?

I also signed up online to support the Renew Our Libraries campaign.You can sign up too here.



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