Tauranga quantity surveyor Kate Clark is calling on Tauranga City Council to change its mind on introducing charges for adult book loans and reducing services.
During the public submission hearings for the city's annual plan this week, she told Tauranga City Councillors increased membership would increase the use of, and income from, services that already have charges.

Kate Clark says increasing library membership is the way forward.

"The business model of our library is shown to be one that is to be envied, though it is in a very delicate state of balance, needing at least the same level of funding as last year," says Kate.
"There are ways to increase circulation and gate count and they are found by researching what people really want from their library.
"The submission process has given you a very clear idea of what people don't want.
"Many public libraries have looked past the way they have always operated and have targeted needs more specifically."
This could mean libraries developing services and programmes that were previously not considered core public library business.