The Public Service Association, which represents librarians, is opposing moves by Tauranga City Council to charge adults for non fiction books.
As part of the annual plan process the council is considering a 50 cent fee to adults borrowing books from its public libraries, going up to 80 cents after three years.

'Public libraries have a proud and long-standing history of providing books and other information to the public free of charge,” says Public Service Association national secretary Brenda Pilott.
'We oppose any move that undermines the principle that public libraries and their services are free and accessible to all members of the public.
'New Zealanders value their public libraries because they're free and accessible and this is reflected in their high usage,” says Brenda.
Libraries play an essential role in enhancing literacy and providing information that support our education system and our democracy. Charging a fee to borrow books will restrict access to that literature and information says Brenda and undermine these two key elements of our society.
The number of books issued by Ashburton's library dropped when a $1 charge was placed on borrowing books less than two years old and Ashburton subsequently dropped the charge says Brenda.
'We hope the Tauranga City Council looks at the Ashburton experience and withdraws its proposal to charge adults a fee for borrowing books from Tauranga's public libraries,” says Brenda.