Hey everyone, an update on the progress of the petition:

on Tuesday night our petition was tabled by councillor Aia newport and the majority of councillors voted for staff to look into the costs of extending library weekend opening hours. This is a first hurdle cleared! Once the report comes back - likely in January or February - councillors will have to vote on whether or not to fund extending library hours.

Where to from here? It would be great if we could show that momentum is building and have a heap more signatures by then - here are 2 things your can doplease share this petition in any local group chats you’re in, send it individually to local friends and family - remind everyone to check their address is Alice Springs when they fill it, some people are finding change.org defaults to listing them in other places.

Please contact the councillors and say you want them to vote to extend library hours when the moment arrives! 5/9 councillors voted to look into the costs so it’s going to be close whether or not it gets through the final vote! Key people to contact and persuade are:

Priority 1: Deputy Mayor Alison Bitar and Councillors Larissa Ellis & Daniel Rochford  - they voted for looking into the costs of extending hours but need suring up to ensure they follow through and vote for extending hours.

All councillors contact details can be found here:

Priority 2 if you’re really keen: Councillors Ryan, Burton and Heenan  - They voted against looking into it, would be hard to convince

Councillors Aia Newport and Cherisse Buzzacott and Mayor Asta Hill - They are supportive but you could thank them for backing this idea

If you'd like to go and physically collect signatures at an event or in public somewhere contact me on hannahmekin@gmail.com and I can send you a spreadsheet :)

Best, Hannah