The book budget for Tauranga's city libraries will be restored to $1 million in a bid to offset New Zealand's dropping exchange rate and help stock Greerton's new library.
City councillors yesterday voted 8-2 to add $200,000 to the book budget as part of next year's draft annual plan.
Councillors Rick Curach and John Robson opposed, with Cr Curach describing it as a nice-to-have that would perpetuate the demand for printed books when there was a growing eBook alternative, but was not urgently needed.
Cr Robson wanted to halve the increase, saying $200,000 was in excess of what was required to address the exchange rate.
Mayor Stuart Crosby said it would be false economy to drop it any lower.
