At their meeting in early October, both Ryde and Hunters Hill Councils resolved to endorse in principle the recommendations of the Joint Library Service Advisory Committee Final Report.

The recommendations include:

• support for the retention of the joint library service with all elements of the service being available to residents of Ryde and Hunters Hill
• the new joint agreement should be for a minimum period of five years with potential to continue beyond that period
• an understanding of the role and importance of public libraries should inform the establishment and operation of the new agreement , in particular:
• the essential role of public libraries as providers of information and educational and recreational resources for all age groups in the community
• their increasing role as community hubs and the public face of councils
• their need to evolve to meet the challenges of a very diverse and challenging clientele.

The two Councils are now preparing a new agreement to carry the joint library service forward for at least the next five years.

Both Councils extend their thanks to all members of the Joint Library Advisory Committee for their assistance in preparing the advice contained in its written report.