Over 30 people with an interest in libraries and literacy came along to Port Macquarie Library last week to meet the candidates for this weekend’s State election.
All five candidates were invited; however, only four attended: Peter Alley, Peter Besseling, Drusi Megget and Leslie Williams.
They were put through their paces with written questions from the audience.
Moderator for the evening was ABC Radio’s Cameron Marshall who posed the questions to all candidates.
“It was very pleasing to hear that all four candidates valued libraries and literacy,” said convenor of the meeting, Friends President Judith Hansen.
“The evening was a great opportunity to not only hear about each candidate’s policy on such matters, but also to get to know them on a more personal level. For example, each shared their special library moment with the audience.”
The Friends of Port Macquarie Library, like other Library Friends groups across the country, continue to be concerned about diminishing library funding from State Governments and a lack of coordinated community literacy programs.
“Most community literacy programs are being funded by corporate sector sponsorships and through community fundraising efforts and not by governments,” said Mrs Hansen.
The Friends of Port Macquarie Library started their own local literacy program ‘Bookstart’ in 2005, targeting parents of new born babies.
The program continues today, due to the fundraising efforts of the Friends.
