New chapter in books row

By Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong Council has crumbled to community pressure by reinstating a Springvale leg of its Mobile Library service.
Star revealed last week that the council axed the Darren Road stop from its Mobile Library service despite Coomoora Primary School’s strong plea to retain it.
Outraged principal Rose Cannizzaro blasted the council for its decision and said it could disadvantage the school’s families who relied on the mobile library as a source for literature.
But at Monday night’s council meeting, the service was reinstated after Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown moved a notice of motion.
He told the chamber that the Darren Road stop was not included on a list of to-be-axed services originally shown to councillors. Cr Brown’s reinstatement push was strongly supported by Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades.
But it was opposed vocally by Cleeland Ward councillor Paul Donovan and Dandenong North Ward councillor John Kelly.
Ms Cannizzaro said staff, parents and students were delighted with the council’s decision.
She said claims by the council of low patronage seemed strange given the response she received from the school community.
“I have had lengthy discussions with our staff and we don’t know where those figures have come from,” she said.
“If it is so poorly supported then I am very surprised at the feedback from the community. Many people here feel it is a valuable resource and have approached me to pass on their concerns.”
The crux of the opposition arose after community services director June Dugina revealed that council’s figures showed only six people were using the Darren Road site each week – based on library cards scanned.
Ms Dugina said “popular fiction” was the most borrowed genre, and that providing the library service cost “many millions” of dollars each year.
Cr Donovan said he would be happy to see the Mobile Library phased out and replaced with an online-library containing virtual versions of the books.
Cr Kelly said the reversal of the decision could cast a negative perception of the council in the public’s mind.
He added in response to cost-cutting claims that the State Government, not the council, was responsible for funding education.