Well submissions have now closed regarding the new charges to be placed on library books and users. Over 700 submissions were received so what will the outcome be? is any body's guess. I remember a time at least 15 to 20years ago, we were living in the country at that time and the council in their wisdom, decided that rural people should pay an annual charge to use the library.
There was of course a public outcry, with many letters written to the council and in the end the submission didn't go ahead. I do hope that we have a similar outcome this time, however I feel that our councilors are quite thick skinned and pretty determined to do what they want.
Of course it's a question of money, but couldn't they leave their wages at the same level and maybe go without a few perks? after all in the real world we have to. Well of course it goes without saying there is a poem to mark the occasion.
Library Charges
The council is increasing the fees
You see, they can do as they please
This is just the first step
They'll break us down with some prep
As they sock it to us with ease
They think we have money to burn
Out of touch, that it's so hard to earn
It is bound to cause friction
When they charge for non-fiction
Impairing our chances to learn
And did I forget to mention
Those poor folks who live on the pension
For them reading's a pleasure
A gift they all treasure
And this charge is causing some tension
We know this is only the start
The free library is falling apart
They will charge us a heap
For the library upkeep
Those councillors don't have a heart
Education is out of our league
The library is suffering fatigue
Leaking money like water
It really shouldn't oughter
Or is just the councillors greed
So councillors think long and hard
Someone will be marking your card
When floating your boat
Remember the vote
You'll be out, without, any regard.
Well Jann i think you hit the nail on the head there. Your poem is fantastic and so true to the point. I cannot believe that our library will soon be charging for the loan of their books. It seems these days people will stoop to anything just to make a quick buck... I have always believed it ridiculous that they charge for their new release titles, when i first saw this i couldn't believe the absurdity and now this. I love to go to the library, i always have, and now i find it sad to think i, and many others will no longer see this as a privelage.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for your words they are without a doubt, brilliant.
I'm really annoyed to hear that the library is going to start charging for lending non-fiction books, on top of the fees for new release books they had already introduced. This goes against everything a library stands for! Accessibility to all - well not any more, it seems. Hardest hit is probably the lower socioeconomic sector, beneficiaries - and their children!, the elderly and infirm, etc who perhaps stand to gain most from a free service such as the library. It's really sad that they will now have to go without, if the council gets it's way.
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