Greater Taree City Council is expected to tonight ratify a committee recommendation to remove the lunchtime closure of the Wingham Library and restore the former opening time.

The library has been operating for 1.5 hours less per day in line with council’s 2008-09 budget, where funding for three area libraries was reduced to save costs.

But the change, which saw the library’s opening time move from 9.30am to 10am and the introduction of a daily one-hour lunchtime closure, drew instant opposition from the Wingham community.

A community campaign was launched to regain the former hours, culminating in a petition signed by more than 1300 people being presented to the council’s community and works committee meeting last week.

After hearing of the importance of the library to not only borrowers but also residents who used it as an administration centre, the committee voted to revert to previous opening hours immediately, with volunteers to be appointed to complement the work of paid staff where appropriate.

The funding shortfall of about $5000 created by the extra hours is to be addressed in the council’s next budget review in October.

The decision of the committee goes before tonight’s full council meeting for approval and also applies to Hallidays Point and Harrington libraries, which also had hours reduced in the budget.

Resident Lyn McKinlay had told the committee that the library was an important centre for Upper Manning residents and as such should be accessible all day.

She said the lunchtime closure affected students and workers who could not access the facility during their own lunch breaks.

She said as well as providing a place for reading, research and entertainment, the library was an administrative centre for the payment of council rates and provided tourist information for travellers.

She was concerned for the impact on Wingham’s image.