Graham Smith, of the NSW Public Library Associations, was in Wollongong on Monday spreading that message, calling for a small funding increase to ensure the future of libraries around the state.

‘‘Across NSW, councils are making decisions about funding and money in general, and libraries are not immune to that,’’ Mr Smith said.

‘‘The smaller the community, the bigger impact a library closure has.’’

Wollongong City libraries are funded to the tune of $10million per year, including state government funding of $500,000. 

Wollongong libraries hosted more than 930,000 visits in the 2012-13 financial year. In 2011-12, more than 1.3million items were loaned and 132,000 inquiries answered.

 Aside from books and magazines, libraries also offer computer and internet access, literacy programs, family history research, seniors and children’s programs, and legal information.

These and other community services provided by libraries were under threat without a new funding model, Mr Smith said.

‘‘The current formula is broken beyond repair,’’ he said. 

‘‘There are cuts to libraries at a time of library growth.’’

Citing a 38per cent increase in fiction borrowing in recent years and a huge 564per cent increase in internet usage at libraries, Mr Smith countered claims libraries were obsolete in an age of e-books.

‘‘There are huge social programs at risk without a new sustainable funding floor,’’ he said.

NSW Public Library Associations suggests an increase in funding of 1¢ per person per week – 50¢ per year, per person. Mr Smith said even this tiny increase could ensure the viability of libraries well into the future.

‘‘We need to do this to survive, and help councils’ decisions to keep libraries open,’’ he said.