Internet funding cut threat a concern

Tasman district councillors are shocked to hear the plug may be pulled on funding for free internet in the district's libraries.

The Government-funded Aotearoa People's Network paid for 19 computers to be installed in the libraries last year, but is now likely to ask local authorities to fork out.

The APN initiative attracted controversy after libraries became overcrowded and internet cafe owners complained they were losing business. These issues surfaced again at the council's community services committee meeting on Thursday after libraries manager Catherine Bryham told councillors that APN had agreed to only one more year of funding. The scheme, which has also made the libraries a wireless hotspot for laptop users, has attracted a steady stream of users.

Councillor Judene Edgar said it was the first time she had heard the council might have to start paying for the service. The library already had broadband for staff and it might be able to negotiate a good deal with the council's internet provider, she said.

"It's finding a way to provide it as a service, but being able to cap it and not offer limitless downloads. I acknowledge the internet is a vital research and communication tool and it is part of the service that libraries need to provide," Mrs Edgar said.

The free internet service was not aimed at teenagers who wanted to download songs for their iPods, which was currently the case, she said.

Ms Bryham, who said it was hard to quantify the ongoing cost of the service, will write a report on its future funding. The free service had been good value and was now an entrenched service, contributing to a 22 per cent increase in visitors in September, she said.

"We are a tourist town, so what are we saying to them [tourists] if they can get it free everywhere else in the world?" she asked councillors.

Ms Bryham said it was not the council's job to worry about putting internet cafes out of business.

Councillor Glenys Glover said councillors needed to remember that the APN initiative had invigorated libraries. "The hardware is there, we already have staff and it's a matter of waiting to see what the costs are – it may just be nominal."

Councillor Barry Dowler was against tourists using the free internet service, which he said was what internet cafes were for. "People should have a library card to get access. I am not knocking it [free internet], but as a council we should not compete with local private enterprise."

APN manager Margaret Garland told The Nelson Mail that future funding of the initiative was under discussion, but it was likely councils would be asked for a "possible contribution".

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Nelmadison   #1   04:12 pm Nov 09 2009

When will beaurcrats like library managers come into the real world and realise there is no such thing as "free" services be that internet access,footpaths or rubbish collection. Either Taxpayers, Ratepayers or users pay for all services.Why expect the public purse to always pay.I would far sooner have lower rates (or taxes).

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