❓ Mr McGowan questions the cessation of the State Library's Country Discard Book Sales program, citing local government involvement. The answer details inefficiency and a shift to donating materials, with local governments now able to manage sales themselves.
AnsweredQoN 1569Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the cessation of the Country Discard Book Sales program administered by the State Library in conjunction with local governments, and ask: (a) why was the decision taken to cease this program; and (b) what consultation was undertaken with stakeholders in reaching the decision to terminate the program?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 February 2014
Responded by
Minister for Culture and the Arts
Response time
97 days
(a) Following a comprehensive review of the way in which the Library disposes of its discarded public library materials, the State Library found that its disposal practices were neither effective nor efficient. Country book sales in particular ran at a considerable loss.
(b) The State Library informed the President of Public Libraries Western Australia (PLWA), the body representing the interest of all public libraries that it was investigating its current practices. Following the review, the Library wrote to PLWA outlining its decision to donate the materials to an Australian Disability Enterprise. PLWA responded very positively to the Library on its decision.
The State Library is aware that some Local Governments have found the country book sales successful from a community engagement perspective, and new arrangements have been put in place whereby Local Governments can retain their discarded materials to manage local sales themselves.
(b) The State Library informed the President of Public Libraries Western Australia (PLWA), the body representing the interest of all public libraries that it was investigating its current practices. Following the review, the Library wrote to PLWA outlining its decision to donate the materials to an Australian Disability Enterprise. PLWA responded very positively to the Library on its decision.
The State Library is aware that some Local Governments have found the country book sales successful from a community engagement perspective, and new arrangements have been put in place whereby Local Governments can retain their discarded materials to manage local sales themselves.
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