Library remains one of Hay’s greatest and best-used assets and Hay Shire Council drops costly membership

Acting Library Team Leader, Ashleigh Stokes keeps an eye on books no longer accessed by the public. These are removed from the shelves and given a second lease of life at the Op Shops and Shear Outback Book Shop. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Tertia Butcher.

By Tertia Butcher

Hay Library continues to grow in popularity, with an increase of 24 per cent in borrowers in March compared to the previous month and a slight decrease in April due to the two long weekends.

In a comprehensive report to Council, the Library Team Leader noted 11 new members, a registration renewal and a busy month with community activities.

“Our regular Tuesday morning Story Time continued to run each week, with a steady increase in numbers in the month of March,” the report noted.

“Numbers rose from a maximum of 24 participants in February to 30 participants, with numbers consistent throughout the latter part of the month and all groups consisting of 28 or more participants.

“Story Time operates on a drop-in basis every Tuesday at 10.30am for parents and children aged up to five.

“Story Time is led by library staff members and involves songs, rhymes, dancing, stories and craft, and is a great opportunity for parents and children to mix and make new friends.”

Library users up to the age of four were the top borrowers of books, closely followed by the five to nine-year age group.

Hay Children’s Services started attending their own designated Story Time at the library on Thursdays, rotating through different groups from the Early Learning Centre, Pre-School and Mobile Children’s Service.

Books and discussion packs are supplied for both the Long Paddock and Booroorban Book Clubs each month, the Knitting Group remains regular and consistent users of the community space and the public computers are continually accessed; making Hay Library a popular and well-used facility.

Hay Library added 166 items to the collection in March, taking the total of items in the collection to 20,950.

In April, a further 306 items were added.

“Popularity and consumer demand often drive the selection of new materials, as we aim to provide content that patrons are excited about, and interested in,” the report reads.

“As part of our ongoing collection management, we have been removing items that have not circulated in five or more years, are in deteriorated condition, or are no longer aligned with the library’s relevance criteria.

“This allows us to better accommodate new and in-demand resources and to ensure that reference materials are current and up to date to best support users’ research and information needs.

“Additionally, we seek to support diverse interests and needs, so materials that reflect special community interests such as local history, culture or emerging trends are also prioritised.

“By continually updating our collection we can ensure we offer educational, recreational and informal resources that are accessible to everyone and relevant to our community.”

Items removed are placed outside the library for people to take home for free or are donated to opportunity shops or the second-hand book shop so that they might have a second lease on life.

Hay Shire Council votes to exit RAMJO

Council has relinquished its membership with RAMJO (Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation) following a steep increase in its annual fee.

This is despite a recommendation from General Manager, David Webb to continue full membership for the 2025-26 financial year and then reassess Council’s position.

Cr John Perry vehemently opposed this, and called for Council to cut its losses now, resign from RAMJO and not pay the $30,000 fee.

“We still have close connections with other councils,” he added.

However, Cr Paul Porter felt $30,000 was not a lot of money, saying there had been “a lot of benefits” being a member.

“We did get some benefits,” Mayor Cr Oataway agreed.

“But they are taking on too much, things they shouldn’t take on. I believe RAMJO is getting a little bit too broad. They have lost their way and need to narrow down. My personal view is that we get more out of the Country Mayors’ Association for $800.”

“It’s not viable,” Cr Perry continued.

“It’s a duplication of what we’re already doing and there’s no guarantee they’re not putting up the fee again next year. We’ll be throwing $30,000 up the wall. Carrathool has pulled out and I heard two others are also.”

The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) brings together 11 regional councils, from Albury to Wentworth, to provide a united and local voice for communities on key issues.

Formerly known as RAMROC, in 2018 the NSW Government announced a new structure of local government entities called ‘joint organisations’ to support councils to work together.

The RAMJO region covers an area of over 80,000 square kilometres and has a population of 152,909 people.

Strategic priorities identified by RAMJO councils include improved water security, energy security and affordability, transport connectivity for freight and people, and digital connectivity.

Other priorities are better mental health services to changing needs, boosting industry, workforce and jobs and improved housing in the area.

“It is challenging to determine if any of these strategic priorities have delivered any tangible value to Hay Shire,” Mr Webb said.

“However, there is no doubt the networking with our neighbouring councils provides benefits when advocating and sharing of knowledge, as well as working collegiately. While difficult to quantify, Council has benefited from a number of RAMJO-led initiatives such as the 3-Bin system roll-out, energy audits and reports and roll-out of the LED street lighting. A smaller Regional Organisation of Councils (ROC) centred around Griffith might provide for more interest and value for Council.”

Financial statements provided to Council for RAMJO’s 2023-24 expenditure include $585,273 for contractor and consultancy costs (including externally funded project-based costs) and a remuneration package of $172,491 for the Executive Officer.

In her mayoral report last week, Cr Oataway said Hay Shire Council left the Organisation on good terms when she and Mr Webb attended their final meeting.

“The General Manager received special acknowledgement for his leadership over the past five years as chair of the RAMJO transport sub comittee,” Cr Oataway said.