As previously mentioned, the ROBB (Restore Our Book Budget) group of residents is fighting the KCDC’s massive $200,000 cut to the budget for new library books.

Now it has been revealed to ROBB by the KCDC’s James Jefferson that the Council is spending $32,100 per annum on storing the Waikanae library’s books with a private company.

The Chair of ROBB, Christopher Ruthe, says this seems to be an extravagant waste. He asked if the storage KCDC is using is temperature/humidity controlled. It is not.

ROBB has written to KCDC suggesting ways to save this money and spend it on books. The letter states that as regular users of the Paraparaumu Library, ROBB members are aware that it has ample room for displaying thousands of more books than it currently does.

ROBB has also visited the Waikanae ‘Pop-up library’ and the Otaki library. The latter clearly has more room for additional volumes.

One expects many Waikanae library users avail themselves of the more extensive collection at Paraparaumu while the main Waikanae library building remains closed [leaving Mahara Place bereft of foot traffic which has already seen 3 shops close —Eds]. Members of ROBB who reside at Waikanae beach, or near the Expressway, say that they are going to Paraparaumu because of book choice and ease of parking.

The suggestion to KCDC concludes “There seems to be no reason why the books in storage, or at least a substantial number of them, could not be relocated to the 2 remaining libraries, at a substantial saving to the ratepayer. If this alternative has not been fully considered we ask that you raise it with the Mayor.”

ROBB is waiting for a response.