Motueka’s keen library users have been left unsettled by the proposed budget cuts to the community’s “hub” in the council’s proposed annual plan.
The Tasman District Council’s community consultation document is open for submissions until Sunday, and proposes a range of budget cuts to reduce the forecasted 13.5 per cent rate increase for 2025/2026. The document states that the goal is to bring the increase closer to eight per cent.
Among the eight proposed budget reductions is a $130,000 cut to library services, shared between Motueka and Richmond. This would primarily come from the “removal of vacant positions”.
TDC libraries manager Glennis Coote confirms that there is a vacant role in Motueka, with temporary arrangements in place to fill this. Staffing and service levels have remained at full capacity.
Some members of the community have expressed dismay at the proposed cuts, citing a lack of clarity and sharing their concerns that the cuts will result in a reduction of library services.
Motueka Arts Council chair Julienne Dickey says that the library is “Motueka’s hub and represents all that is best about our community”.
“Any threat to the operation of the library is extremely disappointing. We need to do all we can to save our wonderful library, and the jobs of those who work tirelessly to make sure that all Motueka residents have a welcoming space for them to enjoy, to learn, to be creative, and to make friends.”
Nelson Tasman Age Concern manager Caroline Budge added her voice to that sentiment, saying that her organisation would be “very disappointed and disheartened” to see any cuts to the library services.
“We know first-hand that it is, in many ways, the heart of the town, offering so much more than book lending. Libraries are now incredibly valuable community hubs and safe spaces, where everyone is welcome.
“We know that the library provides crucial social infrastructure, particularly for our older residents who regularly participate in activities like the Wellby Talking Café and various special interest groups. The weekly digital drop-in sessions offer indispensable technical support for seniors navigating technology, often serving as a lifeline for those who would otherwise struggle to access essential online services.”
She says that reducing library services would have consequences that extend well beyond the building itself, impacting the community’s social cohesion, educational opportunities, and support networks.
The council’s consultation document states that the Motueka’s library will close at 5pm on a Friday, rather than 6pm, and that “some regular pre-school and children’s programmes, school holiday and selected adult programmes, outreach and housebound services will be reduced”.
The council has not given specifics about what this will look like for the community, but a representative says “it’s vital that people make their voices heard”.
“Identifying priorities in this annual plan consultation process may help align future budget decisions with public sentiment.”
The library employs the equivalent of seven fulltime staff, says Glennis. The loss of a full-time role would represent a 14 percent staffing reduction, bringing staffing levels back to what they were at the library’s previous Pah St site.
Library membership sits at 6780, a 22 per cent increase since moving from the Pah St site in 2022. Visitor numbers currently sit at about 10,000 per month, and Glennis clarifies that not all visitors are official library members.
Glennis reports that the Motueka facility ran 655 events and programmes in the 2023/2024 year, with 12,159 participants. These included regular events such as a dementia support group, children’s story times, book and craft groups, as well as one-off events like author talks, musical performances, positive ageing workshops and Conservation Week events.
The Motueka Library – Te Noninga Kumu has built partnerships with the Motueka Art Group, Nelson Bays Primary Health, Multicultural Nelson Tasman and the Nelson Arts Festival, among others.
In her report to the council’s operations committee in April, Glennis said that programmes and events are an important part of what the library offers.
“Our programming is one of the ways in which we connect with our community, support social inclusion and provide opportunities for social connection. Library programmes are intended to promote the use of our facilities and collections, promote reading and writing, support the development of literacy and digital literacy and provide opportunities for learning and skill development.”
Multicultural Nelson Tasman Motueka community coordinator Sez Fyfe says that since their inception, their organisation has received significant support from the Motueka Library staff.
“Our events are designed to promote the concept of kotahitanga, or unity,” she explains.
“They have included Migration Stories, traditional clothing workshops, a Diwali taster, an Islamic presentation and most recently a Sri Lankan celebration of Mother’s Day. We have been grateful to be able to partner with our library and have the opportunity to gain an insight into the different cultures cohabitating happily together here in Motueka.”
A frequent library visitor, who wishes to be known only as Lianne, says that as a Motueka resident without a car, the library gives her access to activities she would otherwise miss.
A member of the Garden Gurus, the WHAM writers group, and Paper Artsy crafting, Lianne says she knows “half of Motueka now” through her involvement in library programmes.
The submissions document is available at service centres, libraries, and online at shape.tasman.govt.nz/annual-plan with submissions closing on Sunday, 25 May.
