More money for books

On 2 March 2010 an observation was posted on our blog to the effect that there were indications that the municipality’s initial monetary allocation of R109 750 to local libraries was

(a) reduced to somewhere between R80 000 and R90 000 and
(b) that the money had not yet been spent.

See blog entry “Only R887 per library for books”.

Committee member Barry Vosloo reports that the ratepayers’ association subsequently took up the matter with the municipal manager, who responded as follows:

“The money budgeted for library books in the 2009/2010 financial year was released after approval of the adjustment budget and will be used to purchase library books in the current financial year.

"Library staff has done a needs analysis at the various libraries and they are currently finalising the list of books to be purchased, after which the procurement process will commence.”