The original motion was moved by Councillor
Scott, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore.
It is resolved that:
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
Rhymetime is an
interactive library program that involves singing and rhymes, promoting early
literacy development for children aged 0-2;
(ii)
Storytime
is an interactive library program that involves storytelling, promoting social
interaction and ‘readiness’ for school for children aged 3-5;
(iii)
the
City of Sydney provides Mandarin bilingual Rhymetime
and Storytime sessions at the Darling Square and Green Square libraries;
(iv)
City of Sydney staff continually review programs to
deliver a range of events, activities and services that meet the needs of the
community. Over the past 12 months, attendance at bilingual story time at
Darling Square has been declining, and at the at the same time demand for
children’s programming increasing at our Green Square branch;
(v)
in
response to changes in demand, staff planned to adjust programming on a trial
basis, increasing the frequency of Rhymetime and
Storytime in Green Square and reducing the frequency in Darling Square;
(vi)
these
changes were listed on the City of Sydney website in late January, and the
proposed revised program schedule linked in the City of Sydney library
newsletter;
(vii)
based on community feedback, the City decided not
to proceed with the trial before the beginning of the term and updated the City
of Sydney website on 1 February to confirm that; and
(viii)
the City of Sydney continues to run weekly
bilingual and English language story time and rhyme time and sessions at
Darling Square; and
(B)
Council
further note:
(i)
full funding for bilingual library sessions is
allocated in the 2023/24 budget. $150,500 is allocated for programming in libraries,
which covers facilitators, stores and materials, licencing, marketing and
translators, in addition to staff salaries; and
(ii)
adjustments to the timing of programs are
occasionally made based on demand or as community interest changes.
The substantive motion was carried on the
following show of hands –
Ayes (9) The Chair (the Lord
Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Gannon, Kok, Scott, Weldon and
Worling
Noes (1) Councillor Jarrett*.
*Note – Councillor Jarrett abstained from
voting on this matter. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 10.4 of the Code of
Meeting Practice, Councillor Jarrett is taken to have voted against the motion.
Amended motion carried.
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