A library services review has sparked division between Maitland City councillors.
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The review, conducted by AEC Consultants and the State Library of NSW, aimed to help council develop a strategic plan for the future of library services in Maitland.
The report identified a series of key strategic enablers for future service delivery including funding, facilities, staffing, technology and user participation.
However, not every councillor supported the review's findings.
Independent councillor Philip Penfold queried the report with concerns about future financial implications.
"It gives no details about increased funding. It doesn't say at what expense ... where it will come from? There are no leftovers," he said.
"I'm not sure how much of this we would be taking from other areas. It doesn't talk about dollars. It's asking me to commit to something that I don't know what it's for. "
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But Labor councillor Ben Whiting countered his colleague's concerns over the review.
"I appreciate Cr Penfold's concern for further financial details. However we are really endorsing strategic initiatives ... and setting a direction," he said.
"I see the plan as setting up strategic direction of where we want to be. Libraries are needed by a lot of members of the community to access different resources.
"We are a quickly growing community. Our libraries need to grow further to match the needs of the community. We can look at the financial details later in terms of roll-out."
General manager David Evans added the report was important in guiding council for future growth.
"This is a report that is providing us a framework within which to come back to council and set some priorities," he said.
"The population of this city is going to increase by about 25 per cent over the next 10 to 15 years. We've got to look at library services in that context."
The review was pushed through with the support of Liberal councillors Ben Mitchell and Kanchan Ranadive as well as Labor councillors Ben Whiting, Robert Aitchison, Don Ferris, Henry Meskauskas and mayor Loretta Baker.