Official Information Request - Rainbow Storytime

Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2024 11:50 AM
Subject: Information request - Rainbow Storytime

I refer to your follow-up information request of 22 March 2024 for what money has exchanged between the group “Friends of the Library” and the Rotorua Library/Council for use of the library booking on Thursday 21st March, and how much as the Rainbow Storytime paid or due to be paid via “Friends of the Library”.

The Rotorua Public Library submitted a request to Friends of the Library to fund the Rainbow Storytime event at a cost of $600. Friends of the Library agreed to this funding request. Following cancellation of the event, no payment has been made to Rainbow Storytime.

Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 4:45 PM
Subject: Information request - Rainbow Storytime

I refer to your further information request of 30 March 2024 regarding Rainbow Storytime, and respond to your questions below:

1. Friends of the Library - how is this funded? Do they receive funding from ratepayers? Please provide a breakdown of their funding sources and amounts for the year up to 30 March 2024.

Friends of Rotorua Library (FORL) is a registered incorporated society who receive their funding from sales of second-hand books and magazines donated by the public including withdrawn books from the Library. Here is link to an overview Friends of Rotorua Library - Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri

FORL are not ratepayer funded. Rotorua Library make applications to FORL for funding for various activities and materials to support a variety of Library programmes, events and improvements to customer service. Council does not hold the financial information for FORL. Your request will need to be directed to Friends of Rotorua Library (refer to above link).

2. I have read claims that the Rainbow storytime group was either paid or going to be paid for the cancellation. Is this true, has there been a change in that outcome? And how much?

Due to the fact that council staff cancelled the event within 24 hours of delivery, we are honouring the invoice and council is in the process of making payment to Rainbow Storytime. As the decision to cancel was a staff decision, we have advised FORL that we do not expect to use their funding for this payment. The invoice is $600 plus GST.

Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 1:14 PM
Subject: Information request - Rainbow Storytime

I refer to your further information request of 8 April 2024 regarding Rainbow Storytime and respond below to your questions:

1. At what time and date was the decision made for the council to pay for the cancelled event?

The final decision was made on the morning of 3 April 2024.

2. Who was involved in that decision? If neccessary to withhold names, just the role function will be suffice, and what roles they consulted with.

The decision was an operational matter and was made by the Group Manager Community & District Development and the Director of the Library.